Tense team, tense atmosphere.

Shift after shift, fans throughout the arena seemed to get a clear look inside the minds of the Leafs. The home side seemed stressed and played like it, too. At their best, the Leafs can pluck through the neutral and offensive zones with ease. On Tuesday, they made edgy and indecisive plays with the puck.

When they got close to the goal, they overthought their decisions. Lorentz’s decision to skate into Linus Ullmark on a two-on-none instead of passing or shooting the puck spoke to those anxious feelings.

And, naturally, as the game went on and the Leafs were unable to find the back of the net, Scotiabank Arena tightened up. A raucous crowd after puck drop grew quiet. The writing on the wall grew clearer with every shift. There were boos heard midway through the third period after the Leafs allowed the second goal.

This is a Leafs team that had a chance to own the moment and change the narrative around them on home ice. They didn’t. They’ll try again Thursday.