The Maple Leafs erased a 4-1 deficit in Game 4 to force OT and NHL fans all made the same joke

IT WAS 4-1!

The Toronto Maple Leafs will never be able to outrun the “it was 4-1” meme, but this moment against the Tampa Bay Lightning surely has to feel good.

On Monday, the Maple Leafs erased a 4-1 deficit in the third period of Game 4 to force overtime with the Lightning. Toronto was able to score three straight times in the third, with two goals from Auston Matthews and the tying tally from Morgan Rielly to drag themselves back into the fight.

In case you’ve forgotten — or are new to hockey — the Maple Leafs infamously experienced coughing up a three-goal lead of their own a decade ago. Back in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Maple Leafs lost a 4-1 lead to the Boston Bruins in Game 7, instantly spawning the “it was 4-1” meme that Toronto has never been able to shake.

But now, thanks to Rielly, the Maple Leafs finally invoked “it was 4-1” on someone else for a change!

Considering this is the first time the Maple Leafs rallied from three down since the 1993 playoffs, this has to be a moment of catharsis for Toronto fans.

As expected, NHL fans had so many jokes after the Maple Leafs climbed back from a 4-1 deficit in Game 4.