There are some media members that are suggesting that the relationship between Auston Matthews and Mike Babcock may have been strained during the 2017-18 season.
So it goes in the centre of the universe and the fish bowl that is the Toronto market. Had the Leafs not had a disastrous third period against Boston, the conversation about this team would be totally different.
In the three years that Mike Babcock and company have been in charge of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team has gone from 69 points, to 95 points and a first round playoff appearance, to 105 points and a first round playoff appearance that went seven games.
There has been steady improvement.
It has also been well documented, by Jake Gardiner and others, that the seven year veteran had an off night defensively on Wednesday.
What is lost in all of this is the Leafs took a team that was seven points better than they were in the regular season to a seventh game in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The team is getting better, despite what you might here.