The Big Four Get It Done in Game 5

 

Photo From CBC Sports

Let me start this by saying that the Leafs will likely be the death of me, but God I love this team. I didn’t do a write up for the 7-3 loss in game four simply because there wasn’t much to talk about the Leafs were bad from the start. Honestly though now that, that game is in the rear view mirror the few positives. William Nylander finally got into the series picking up two goals and the Leafs in each game prior to this had out scored their opponent in the third period and that is something I would like fans of this team and readers to let sink in.

Last night the Leafs and Lightning returned to Scotiabank, and we would see the same lineups that played game five play this one which I know had Leaf fans crying foul because of Holl’s turnover that led to the first Tampa goal the other night but honestly, I am not surprised Sheldon Keefe didn’t make any changes. Now, the first period of this game started, and you could sense a nervous energy from our Leafs and the fans would do their part trying to get the team sparked. Early in the first Toronto would head to the man advantage thanks to Tampa having too many men on the ice but unfortunately the two-minute advantage would expire with the Leafs mounting little to no pressure. This penalty kill would give the Lightning a boost as they would go on the attack and Lightning fans would have reason to cheer as their team would open the scoring.  Nikita Kucherov would enter the Leafs zone with the puck where his centering pass would make its way to Steven Stamkos and his wrist shot would find the back of the net beating Jack Campbell and the visiting Lightning would have the 1-0 lead with just five minutes into this game. All series long we have seen that whoever opens the scoring likely goes on and wins the game which likely put fear into the minds of Leaf fans. Well, things would go from bad to worse because fifty seconds later the Lightning would double their lead on the powerplay. With TJ Brodie serving a hooking minor Tampa would get right to work on the man advantage. While in the Leafs end Kucherov would move the puck to Victor Hedman who would send a wrist shot ringing off the post and in and the Leafs would find themselves quickly trailing 2-0. After the second Lightning goal Jason Spezza went and had a word with Leafs goalie Jack Campbell and what ever was said seemed to work because the remainder of the opening period saw Tampa unloading all kinds of pressure on the Leafs but the man, they call Soupy stood tall making many important saves keeping his team within striking distance. Sadly, Toronto was not able to really get anything going this period and Tampa would lead this game into the first intermission.

 

During his post game availability William Nylander mentioned that Jason Spezza gave a speech to the team saying the effort needed to be better. The message seemed to have been received because we fans would see an entirely different Leafs team. They would head to the powerplay just a few minutes into the second period as once again Tampa would be caught with too many players on the ice and this time the powerplay would convert for the hometown Leafs. Mark Giordano would have the puck at the point where he would send the puck over to Nylander, Willy seeing a screen develop thanks to traffic in front of Vasilevskiy the Nylander shot would deflect off Tavares and in for his first goal of this playoffs and thanks to the captain the Leafs would begin to work their way back into this contest. The Tavares goal would go to the Leaf legs and momentum would turn into their favour they would begin to spend more time in the Lightning end of the rink, but Vasilevskiy would make some big saves keeping his team in the lead. The second period would expire with the Leafs still trailing but momentum was still on their side as they prepared for a very important third period.

 

Now as I mentioned earlier, in this series the third period has been won by the Leafs in all four games leading into last night and last night was no different because the Leafs would take their fans on a wild and crazy but also very stressful ride in the final twenty minutes. The third would start with the Leafs playing a man down as David Kampf would be called for hooking. The Lightning powerplay would last for just ten seconds because Steven Stamkos would be sent off for high sticking meaning we would see some four-on-four action. With the teams once again playing at even strength Toronto would go right to work as they searched for the equalizing goal. We didn’t have to wait long because with just three minutes played in the third John Tavares would have possession of the puck behind the net looking for an open teammate, he would eventually send a centering pass to a wide open Morgan Rielly who would tie this game at two with a shot that would beat Vasilevskiy on the glove side and after trailing this game with fans at home and in attendance thinking their team was finished were now celebrating because their Leafs were tied with the two time defending champions. A little over a minute later Leaf fans would erupt once again. Tampa would dump the puck into the Leafs end but Toronto who all night spent very little time in their end of the rink would quickly break their way out as Justin Holl would send a stretch pass to Ilya Mikheyev who would enter the zone with Nylander joining him. Ilya would send a pass over to Nylander and Willy would send a shot off the post and in and for the first time in the game the Leafs would have the lead this was also the first time in the series that we would have a lead change. With the Leafs now leading 3-2 and the heart rates of their fans rising possibly to alarming levels we would need to prepare for the longest fifteen minutes of our lives. Toronto would do a good job relieving the pressure brought on by their opponent, but with eight minutes played a huge mistake by Mitch Marner would lead to the Lightning tying the game. When it looked as if the Leafs were going to leave their zone with the puck Marner for some reason chose to reverse the puck back to Auston Matthews, but the puck would wind up on the stick of Ross Colton who would send a pass to Ryan McDonagh who would step into a slap shot that would find the top of the net and we would be level once again this time 3-3. Now on this play and I know Marner knows this but when you have possession in your end you never reverse the puck backwards you always move the puck forward. Marner should have chipped the puck out and even if the puck just got over the Leaf blue line it doesn’t matter going forward should have been his decision because Tampa would have had to leave the zone to avoid being offside. Reversing the puck helped Tampa stay on the attack and that mistake ended up in the back of the net. So, with the game tied both teams would press looking for the lead but both goalies would make some huge saves for their teams. With time running out and overtime looming the Leafs would pull ahead. There would be a battle for the puck in the neutral zone as Michael Bunting would win the puck from the man who tied the game, Ryan McDonagh. Bunting after winning the battle would send a pass to Mitch Marner who would be in on an odd man rush with Matthews joining him. With the crowd buzzing in anticipation Marner would fire the puck into the pads of Vasilevskiy causing a rebound that would end up on the blade of Auston Matthews who would send the puck into the open cage and Toronto would lead this game 4-3 with a little over six minutes remaining.

The rest of the third saw the Lightning press for an equalizer and they came close many times, but Jack Campbell did a great job tracking the puck and making saves when needed, one stop came off his mask in what looked like a sure goal. The Lightning would pull the goalie and play with an extra attacker, but Corey Perry would end up icing the puck with a failed pass forcing Vasilevskiy back into the net. From here on out the Leafs would hold off every wave of attack by the Lightning by chipping the puck out and finally the third period would end with the Leafs completing the comeback and regaining the series lead.

One thing I want to say is to the people the claim to be fans but contently rip this team and knock this team stop and stop for a few reasons. 1. You look like a complete fool because bashing this team shows that you likely aren’t watching the games. 2. This team deserves respect because statistically it is the best one the franchise has ever had and unlike previous playoff runs where they would fold in key games this team all season has found ways to win and last night is a perfect example of how this team does not quit at all. Now I am not one of those fans that thinks every year the team is going to be great because when the team is bad, and we have seen that many times but when they’re bad I’ll be the first one to admit it but at the same time when the team is performing and playing well, I’ll mention it as well. I understand this team hasn’t won a series since 2004 and they still might lose this series it’s still a long way from being over but for the simple fact the Toronto Maple Leafs have put the Lightning on the verge of elimination when every expert said Tampa would walk over Toronto that alone should give this Leaf team the respect they rightly deserve.

Of course, the result from this game last night doesn’t matter if Toronto can’t finish the series off but for now lets just enjoy the team we have and the run they’re on because tomorrow night in Tampa we will be holding our breath hoping for a series win. I have said all along Toronto can win this series in six games and I still believe strongly they can, and they will.

Photo From Sportsnet

Quickly before I wrap this one up, I want to give a stick tap to Patrick Marleau who Monday announced his retirement from the game of hockey after 23 seasons. Patty played two years as a member of the Maple Leafs where he collected a total of 84 points. We all know the Leafs weren’t able two win a cup with Marleau which of course is unfortunate, but he was able to pass on some lessons onto the young core players that showed them how to be successful and we are seeing glimpses of that each season since Marleau left Toronto. So, Patrick thanks for your time as a member of the Maple Leafs but also thank you for your 23 years in this league.

 

Thanks as always for reading.