Games 1 and 2 went back and forth between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning, as Tampa took Game 1 and the Maple Leafs rebounded and took Game 2. Both were lopsided affairs for the teams involved, each one genuinely putting up a spectacular show once.
For Tampa Bay, this is the time to separate themselves from Toronto in the series. If they can muster up the wins and take advantage of a Maple Leafs team that is feeling a lot of pressure, this series could be over quickly.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, now would be a good time to take a commanding lead in the next two games to show that this team can run with the big boys during the playoffs and even contend with the best.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are at the Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 3.
Tampa Bay is coming into this game after a brutal 7-2 loss, which in my opinion, was worse than the Leafs losing 7-3 in Game 1.
However, both teams have shown their incredible stick-work and passing, which has lit up the scoreboard at times and now have the chance to put an exclamation mark in this series.
The main issue of Tampa and Toronto losing their respective games was being guilty of taking undisciplined penalties that had cost both teams. The over-aggressive gameplay will make this a heated battle in the best-of-seven series but must be kept in check.
The key factor going into tonight’s game for the Tampa Bay Lightning will be to shut down the Maple Leafs’ core five and proceed with the aggressive forechecking ability the team possesses against their opponents.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, it will be their usual defensive game that contributes to the offense and skilled set of forwards that will win the game for them.
All in all, this series is the best coming into the playoffs and has not been short of any drama involving both clubs.
It will be an exciting game and to see who comes out on top tonight will likely define the series.