Toronto Maple Leafs defeat Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 to advance in NHL playoffs
Nineteen years of misery in the Stanley Cup Playoffs ended for the Maple Leafs on Saturday when they dispatched with the Lightning 2-1 in overtime in Game 6 of their first-round series at Amalie Arena.
The Maple Leafs were in 0-11 in potential series-clinching games since 2013 but finally got it done this time around. That wasn’t an ordinary monkey the franchise flipped off its back. It was King Kong. Tampa Bay had reached the Stanley Cup finals in three successive years and had won twice. It hoped to become the fifth team in NHL history and the first since the New York Islanders to reach the finals in at least four consecutive seasons. The Canadiens are the only other franchise to do so, achieving the feat on three occasions.
“What happened was very unfortunate,” Bunting said this week of Cernak, who did not return due to the head injury incurred on the play. Bunting texted Cernak after Game 1 to wish him a fast recovery. “You never want to see someone get hurt.” Toronto had two power plays but failed to score in a fast-paced first period. Both net minders made brilliant saves.
“We are as upbeat as I’ve seen after a big loss. We know we are a good team. One game is not going to change anything.”
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