Tip of the Tower
Fansided

The best moments from the Air Canada Centre era

By Austin Owens

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 15: The Toronto Maple Leafs 100th anniversay opening ceremonies honouring past Maple Leaf legends prior to action against the Boston Bruins an NHL game on October 15, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 15: The Toronto Maple Leafs 100th anniversay opening ceremonies honouring past Maple Leaf legends prior to action against the Boston Bruins an NHL game on October 15, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO,ON – APRIL 23: Jake Gardiner
TORONTO,ON – APRIL 23: Jake Gardiner /

#3: 2017 NHL Playoffs, Game 3 – Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals

There were so many moments from the Leafs last season that it’s hard to not put them on this list. The crowds were crazy and the hockey was even crazier. Game three of the first round is the perfect example of just how loud a Toronto crowd can get.

After Kapanen evened up the series with an OT winner in Washington, the Leafs returned home to the delight of their fans. The Air Canada Centre was packed and Maple Leafs Square was full.

Washington silenced the crowd early with two goals from Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin in the first five minutes of play.

But, as was the case against the Penguins, the young Leafs wouldn’t go away. Nazem Kadri got the crowd back into it before Auston Matthews scored his first of the playoffs just seconds later.

The teams went into overtime tied at three. But just 1:30 into overtime, Kadri and Bozak ran a set tip play and the Leafs took game three 4-3.

Although the Buds would go on to lose to the Capitals in six games, this was the pivotal moment of the playoffs for the team. It showed that they could hang with a team like the Caps and that they have one of the best fan bases in the entire NHL.

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