There was talk of violence, of offensive juggernauts, of some type of otherworldliness Toronto would have to simply survive. Twelve minutes in, these Maple Leafs had that script crumpled up in the bin. (SachdevaSonny)
to dispense with all those post-season ghosts. Those shape-shifting doubts that loomed over them in the days leading up to the puck dropping on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena.
And yet, in an odd twist of fate that could wind up being a microcosm for this whole series should Toronto do what it hopes to -- the Maple Leafs found life in the tougher path. They held the fort for five minutes straight, stymying Jon Cooper’s pack of all-stars at every turn. But stymying was just the half of it — they flat out dominated the Bolts on the penalty kill.
Sat on folding chairs in the bowels of Scotiabank Arena post-game, dejected after what finished as a 5-0 Game 1 drubbing at the hands of the home side, the Lightning’s leaders pointed to those opening 12 minutes in diagnosing where it all unravelled. Meanwhile, the vibes a few feet to their left were every bit the opposite over those crucial five minutes.
By the end of the night, the special-teams battle was a wash, the second period delivering two more sterling moments — a statement Marner-to-Matthews one-timer on the power play, and a short-handed tally that saw David Kampf outrace Hedman and outplay Vasilevskiy one-on-one.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lightning vs Maple Leafs Game 1 Picks and Predictions: Don't Doubt Defending ChampsNHL Playoffs odds, picks and predictions for Tampy Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs on May 2. NHL betting free picks for moneyline and Over/Under.
Read more »