Professional sports teams can be very superstitious when it comes to what they believe can give them an edge when it comes to winning games. In some cases, players will wear extremely old, outdated gear, or go through a specific routine before every game. For Sheldon Keefe and the Leafs, they've taken things one step further in an attempt to replicate the success they've had on the road in these playoffs.
The Leafs are a combined 1-4 in the playoffs when playing in front of the hometown faithful at Scotiabank Arena. They lost Game 1 against Tampa, Game 5 against Tampa and then Games 1 and 2 against Florida at home. In fact, the only game they won at home in these playoffs was Game 2 against Tampa.
The team is, however, excellent on the road, winning Games 3, 4 and 6 in Tampa in Round 1 and Game 4 in Florida in this 2nd round. Per a report from a team of TSN Insiders, the Leafs have decided to perform something of an experiment to help them feel less "at home". The players checked into a Toronto hotel on Thursday night ahead of Game 5.
Chris Johnston reported that the goal of this experiment was to help limit distractions for the players and keep the focus where it should be. It's also about helping to replicate the feel of being on the road, rather than being at home in their own beds. There's a certain mindset that a team has on the road, in enemy territory. If the Leafs can try to channel some of that energy and use it against the Panthers tonight in what feels more like a road home game, maybe it will work. Who knows?
