I think this is just where we are in the cycle.
It’s like being a Bills fan. During the 18-year drought, all we wanted was playoff football. When it finally happened, it felt amazing. But fast-forward to 2025, and now the expectation is the Super Bowl. Once you’ve had a taste of it, anything less feels like a disappointment.
It’s the same for Leafs fans—simply making the playoffs isn’t enough anymore. They need playoff wins. Eventually, hopefully, we’ll reach a point where the only thing that really matters is winning the Cup.