The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to advance to the second round of the playoffs by eliminating a tough Tampa Bay Lightning team.
This is a pivotal game five and the Toronto Maple Leafs will look to advance to the second round as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning, who will do their best to resurrect their series versus the Leafs, in what will be an interesting contest.
The Toronto Maple Leafs pulled off a shocker in game four, by completing a three-goal comeback late in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning as they did not seem to be on the same page as they usually are during the last ten minutes of the game.
Tampa pulled out all the stops themselves with an aggressive forecheck and a give-and-go that resulted in three goals, with a fast-paced skating ability and slick passing.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were on their heels for 50 minutes of the game and then came out strong with an effective offensive game led by none other than Auston Matthews. As a result, the Leafs took a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Will the Toronto Maple Leafs advance to the second round?
Now, will the Tampa Bay Lightning be able to overcome a Leafs team that has failed to eliminate their opponents in the past two decades, or will this be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ notice to the other teams in the playoffs, especially in the Eastern Conference, that this team is for real?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have played a risky game as of late, but, were able to force turnovers in their favor, keep up the physical game by outhitting Tampa, and outshoot them by a wide margin.
Toronto has been the better team in the series, and it has shown nothing but patience toward the Tampa Bay Lightning’s gameplay. Establishing a rhythm early will get the win tonight.
Whether the Tampa Bay Lightning can extend the series or the Toronto Maple Leafs advance, we will see one good hockey game tonight.