Maple Leafs' Gardiner on Game 5 win vs. Bruins: Glad we got over that curse

If you're a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, you've likely tried everything you possibly can to erase the memory of the first-round playoff collapse against the Boston Bruins in 2013: A series Toronto seemingly had in the bag with a 4-1 lead in the third period in Game 7.

Everyone knows how that played out, with the Buds blowing the game and, in turn, the series. So, on Saturday night, when the Leafs built another late 4-1 lead, some Toronto players like Jake Gardiner couldn't help but think back. "We had a lead similar to the one we had five years ago," Gardiner said with a smile, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

"Glad we got over that curse so that’s out of our minds now."

While there is no telling what will happen in Game 6 (or a possible Game 7), Gardiner already feels the Leafs are a more composed team than the one that coughed up that juicy lead five years ago.

"During that series it was pretty tense on the bench when they scored to make it 4-3," said Gardiner, per Masters. "It was a lot more tight on the bench (while) last night we just tried to relax and stay calm and keep playing."

Curse or not, the Leafs will try and push the series to a seventh and deciding game with a victory on Monday night.