*** 2021-22 Playoffs Opening Round: Tampa Bay Lightning (A3) at Toronto Maple Leafs (A2) - (TBL WIN 4-3) ***

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Just now, Toronto Jules said:

The Captain finally breaks the ice. 

 

2-1 now. 

 

Lucky bounce goal, but it counts just the same...WITH a huge assist to Nylander who took that hard shot to begin with.

ESPN crew were wanting so hard for it to be Johnny P's goal, they got their wish!  
Now...like I said before...we need to talk about, and focus on, the scoring drought of one Zach Bogosian!  

[Toronto Jules]

I will take it if it gets the Captain on the board with a goal. 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Refs playing primadonna once again....called Stamkos on a borderline play that could have been let go as AM looked like he was already falling before Stamkos even breathed on him.

Oh well... back to the Toronto PP.
Bolts need to kill this, and gain energy from it.
Still have the lead....the best Tor can do is tie.

[Toronto Jules]

A very soft penalty call again. This time on Stamkos. I guess they are being consistent. 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

1 minute ago, Toronto Jules said:

I will take it if it gets the Captain on the board with a goal. 

 

I don't blame you.
I'd take goals any way I can as well!

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

1 minute ago, Toronto Jules said:

A very soft penalty call again. This time on Stamkos. I guess they are being consistent. 

 

Hey...refs gotta earn their per diem money somehow... 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Toronto throwing EVERYTHING at the Lightning from every angle... Champs holding strong.
Vasy making saves, Bolts defenders blocking shots, bone crunching hits being delivered.

Leaves® better come up with another one during all this, or much like a boxer, could 'punch themselves' out and have nothing but their bruised bodies to show for it in the late stages of the 2nd or early stage of the 3rd!

[Toronto Jules]

A much better period by the Leafs. The D was battling for pucks and the offense was on top of what seemed like everything.  It is going to be Vasilevskiy, but they just have to keep putting the puck on the net. 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

2 minutes ago, FireDillabaugh said:

That's a charge and a boarding against Matthews.

 

I was actually thinking the same, but didn't want to appear like a "homer"  

Espn crew calling it shoulder to shoulder, but AM saw the numbers, and hit Serge in the back. Plus, Serge's head might have bounced off the glass.
I've seen penalties called based on the result as much, or more so, than the action.

But, no one heard that from me.
Sergachev has a bit of a mean streak. Not so sure Matthews wants to wake that up in the young Russian.
He could ruin AM's series with an illegal smash against the boards or into the corner somewhere.

Not condoning that, mind you, but just saying that Sergachev doesn't always think, and just reacts when he is angry (yep, something he needs to work on), and Matthews, or someone on his line, could pay a hefty price.

[Toronto Jules]

We have got a game!!!!!

 

Nylander!!!!! 3-2 Leafs.

 

First lead change of the series. 

Edited May 11, 2022 by Toronto Jules

[SaucyJack]

Yes sir, may I have another!!!

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Leaves® have come alive  

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

McD says..."You want fries with that?"

3-3 score.

Let the roller coaster begin!

[SaucyJack]

1 minute ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

Let the roller coaster begin!

Or not…we are at risk of possibly stopping these puck-filled proceedings, as it is dangerously close to being more fun than people are supposed to have.

[SaucyJack]

Sir, yes SIR, may I have yet another, SIR!

[Toronto Jules]

Marner to Matthews

 

4-3 Leafs

[Toronto Jules]

By far the best and most exciting game in the series. 

 

Now can the Leafs take care of business in Tampa or will they have to come back home in game 7 which is what I thought in the beginning. 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Toronto stuns the Champs to take a 3-2 series lead. Wow.

Although....it appears the Lightning have Toronto RIGHT where they want them.
I'll just sell myself on that one.  

[3 Palmateers]

After the 1st period... total resonation with this:

 

 

Now? Elation.  Never had a doubt. 

 

#Speechless (but long way to go...been here before)

[Toronto Jules]

Lightning just may have what it takes to bring the series back to Toronto, but that is going to be tough winning two in a row and with the Toronto crowd surely going crazy it is going to be extra hard. 

[Lindbergh31]

23 minutes ago, Toronto Jules said:

Lightning just may have what it takes to bring the series back to Toronto, but that is going to be tough winning two in a row and with the Toronto crowd surely going crazy it is going to be extra hard. 

Well Toronto doesn't want to leave it to a game 7 so they should take care of business in game 6. Otherwise the ghosts of game 7 past may come back to haunt the Leafs.

[Toronto Jules]

3 minutes ago, Lindbergh31 said:

Well Toronto doesn't want to leave it to a game 7 so they should take care of business in game 6. Otherwise the ghosts of game 7 past may come back to haunt the Leafs.

I would love them to handle it in Tampa, but I am not going to say it is going to be an easy accomplishment. 

[3 Palmateers]

I can't get over the Leafs being in FIVE Game 5's in the Matthews/Marner era for 7-game-series and every single one of them have been 1-goal games. Record moves to 3-2 in Game 5 of 7-game series. Still, have yet to win a series after winning Game 5 in the Matthews/Marner era.

 

Tampa may honestly like TFG said have Toronto right where they want them. I trust the Wild to beat St. Louis in 7 and they're down 3-2, more than I trust the Leafs up 3-2. 

 

Also, amazing the Leafs give up the first and second goals, and still win in a series that's had no lead changes. First goal is so critical. The odds in this first round are hovering near 90% if memory serves. 

 

Tonight, was very un-Leaf like. This team does not do this. Especially, not against a team like Tampa. But, I have to believe Tampa isn't overly concerned. Just have to win back-to-back games. A team that's won back-to-back Cups can't be sweating beating a team known for no killer instinct and losing Game 7's. 

 

Get the AED on standby for Thursday night. The BP is already up. 

[Buffalo Rick]

Must give these Leafs credit.  Could have folded the tents when down 2-0.  No way.  Can they close out Tampa in Tampa in game 6?  The bookmakers in Vegas have Tampa favored of course in game 6.  I think the Leafs need to go in with the mind set to close them out. Get rid of them and then the East belongs to them. I see no other team in the East beating them.  Tampa is the toughest out. Florida cant match them on defense should they survive vs the Caps.  Boston and Carolina are killing each other.  And I never saw the Penguins being up 3-1 vs the Rangers who are the better team.  Go Leafs Go.  I am pulling for them in the East.  It might take 7 but they are tough at home.

[3 Palmateers]

Tampa has no Will. The Leafs have Will Nylander. Where there's no will, there's no way. 

 

No lineup changes for Leafs. Simmonds and Clifford sit another one out. 

 

Does Toronto's playoff drought end, or does Tampa's playoff run continue?

 

The last 4 appearances in Tampa:

 

Toronto 6 Tampa 2

Tampa 8 Toronto 1

Toronto 3 Tampa 2

Tampa 7 Toronto 3

 

Please, let the pattern hold. Toronto's turn tonight.