A familiar misery.

After games like last night’s 4-0 shutout loss to the Washington Capitals, I’m reminded more and more about just how far this Toronto Maple Leafs team is from being taken seriously.

I’m done trying to formulate excuses for them. Either you show up or you don’t. It doesn’t need to be more difficult than that. At least offensively, the talent is there. There’s no reason the Leafs should be shut out, especially after a comeback win two nights before.

Finish the Chicago game with the 10-minute rally only to come out so flat the next game? It’s unfortunately been seen too many times with this team.

In the interest of my own sanity, I’m going to focus on being positive for this post.

The Toronto Raptors have had bad stretches too, but there are winnable games (like last night against the Milwaukee Bucks) that they win. The same cannot be said for all the teams in this city.

Of course, Giannis Antetekounmpo being unavailable made the night much easier for Toronto. But that shouldn’t take away from a good win. A needed win.

A team’s best players often need to be the game’s best players. Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes were that last night, combining for 53 points. Both also finished with two steals. Barnes stuffed the stat sheet further with 11 boards and two blocks.

As has been the case for some time now, the Raptors need to improve from the free throw line. But that’s me nitpicking - and possibly unfairly deflecting some anger from the Leafs last night.