Author: Dave Hopkins

OK, OK – enough with the speculation and the cliches:  “shift by shift, strike while the iron is hot, take it day by day, must win, back’s against the wall” – ENOUGH !

It has been 6 years for the Toronto Maple Leafs – they haven’t won a first round series since 2004 (Mitch was 6 years old !).  Nine consecutive closeout game failures.  Tampa Bay has won 11 of their last 12 series.  Wait – is that more of the same ?

This is a different Leafs team.  The adds that GM Kyle Dubas made at the deadline – O’Reilly, Schenn, McCabe, Accurai, Lafferty, Knies have all had an impact on the ice and one would expect in the room.  IMO, the worst thing TML could do is take on the mentality of “3 games to make it.”

During the first 4:15 of the first, the Tampa Bay Lightning played as the champions they have proven to be.  Morgan Reilly put an end to that scoring his third consecutive goal on a hi-glove sider from John Tavares and new guy Mathew Knies.  Not :25 seconds later, TB came back to prove this was not going to be a rollover as Cirelli got the Bolts right back in it.  As long I have suspected, Josh McCabe stepped up with two huge hits – and you know what ?  Not one TB player even challenged him.  As many pundits had warned goalie God Vasilevskiy showed up BIGTIME.  On a Leafs PP, he made HUGE saves on Jarnkrok and Nylander.  SOG 14-9 Tampa and 28-17 shot attempts  – 1-1.

What a great second period that was !  Some guy named Eysimont scored early when Justin Holl went WAY wide on coverage and Sami couldn’t keep his skates together.  A mid-period exchange from both sides sent shivers up most spines but resulted in a knotted game.  Knives took one off the ankle.  TML started the third after Moron laid out Giordano.

Vasilevsky stopped Marner on a breakaway to start the third period.  Say no more.  Leaf killer Nick Paul made it 3-1.  Say no more.  Look, I don’t want to be that prick that says “I’m not that surprised”, but I guess I am.  The Lightning were aggressive and confident.  Leafs Nation was aroused when a “too little, too late” AM 34 garbage goal snuck in to make it interesting (briefly), but the Bolts were superior tonight and the EN 4-2 goal proved it. 

HOPPER NOTES:   Mo Reilly has 7 points in his renaissance playoff series – I think the steadiness of Luke Schenn has allowed him to “run free”…lovely to see that Corry Perry was not a factor this evening…I wish we could have seen a little more from Marner/Mathews (other than late in the game)…WHY can they NEVER make it easy on themselves ?!?…the Leafs opportunity to erase history will have to wait…CHEERS !

Most called tonight’s Game 4 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Lightning in Tampa, a statement game.  Were the Leafs happy to go home with split ?  How angry were the Bolts to give away game three ?

Toronto game changers were Morgan Reilly, Ilya Samsonov , Ryan O’Reilly and some thought Luke Schenn.  Will they stand and shine again, or will “secondary” players like TJ Brodie, Jake McCabe, John Tavares and William Nylander step and take a starring role ?

Tampa Bay were relieved to be able to send out Brayden Point and a still healthy Victor Hedman.  But where does goalie Vasilevskiy fit in ?  His save % of 8:53 in the first 3 games has got to have somebody nervous.

As you may have expected, The Tampa Lightning started the game with revenge on their mind, hitting anything that moved, crisp passing breakouts and applying extreme pressure from the get-go.  At one point later in the opening frame they had a 25-9 shot advantage.  Ilya Samsonov continued to stand tall but he could not be expected to win another game on his own.  First it was a Branden Hagel penalty shot that he kicked away, followed by a Nick Killorn goal and then another by Mikael Sergeyev.   2 zero Bolts after one.

Well Leafs Nation, the second period was not pretty.  Coach Keefe warned one and all that changes could be made and true to his word, he put Tavares with Marner and Knies,  Mathews with Nylander and Jarnkrok and O’Reilly with Accurai and Kerfoot.  To what end some may ask.  Well Accurai did make it 2-1 to start the period.  But Captain Stevie converted a Victor Hedman charge not long after to make it 3-1.  The previously dormant Kilorn scored his second with 1:11 left in off the post.  4-1.

Just as I was thinking of flipping over to Blue Jays game, the Leafs seemed to snap out of their malaise.  At the 10 minute mark Auston Mathews made it 4 to 2 from Marner and Nylander.  Ho-Hum.  And then, AM34 tipped in another, this time with less that 7 minutes remaining.  OK, Leafs Nation has awaken.  Just 2:45 seconds later series MVP Mo Reilly tied the game, stunning the hometown crowd.  That was 3 goals in 6 minutes to send this thing in to overtime.  Sami made two huge counter saves late in the period to secure the tie.  Who knew ?

After years of disappointment (and I don’t want to jinx this), the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have cleared a path to a first round victory.  Alex Kerfoot tipped in a Marc Giordano point shot off nice cross-ice feed from Nylander to shock the Lightning after they lead 4-1 with 10 minutes left in the game. The two clutch, overtime wins in Florida secured TML a 3 to 1 lead in their best of seven series going home for a game five in Tranna on Thursday.  WOW !

HOPPER NOTES:  Not much to say after that gutsy comeback win…I’m not sure what they’re paying Ryan O’Reilly, but it should be at least be equal to the “so-called” big four…I said to my little Pal Glennie after that game one debacle, “can you imagine the riots if the Leafs go out 4 straight ?”…oh, and shame on all you Morgan Reilly haters – CHEERS

To some, the biggest news pre-game for tonight’s Toronto/Tampa game 3 conflict was the return of Lightning stud D-man Victor Hedman.  His size, strength, experience and physical presence was all the Tampa team would need to turn this around, many would tell you.

The Toronto Maple Leafs came out with hitting with speed of their own that lead to Noel Accari’s first goal of the playoffs at the 3:24 mark.  That gave Mathew Knies his first playoff point as a Leaf.   Not 1:36 later Anthony Cerelli scored his first to tie things up from Kilhorn and Hagel.  Ilya Samsonov continued his fine play throughout wild pressure from the Stamkos line to keep the Leafs in it.  A great shift led the Leafs to Austin Mathews first goal of the series on a tip-in from Marner.  Luke Schenn had a big influence on that goal.  Tampa Bay slammed a scramble goal under Sami to tie it at twos with just :30 seconds left.

Ilya Samsonov had to come out with a couple 10-bellers to start the second as TB meant business.  The Lightning continued to turn up their assertiveness throughout the mid-section of the second that finally turned into a Darren Raddysh goal allowing the home team to take the lead.  A dumb Sam Lafferty cross checking penalty could have added to the misery, but the Leafs stood tall.

A rather bizarre display of the hate that is building in this series came to a head when Point and Reilly went in to the Leaf’s corner and Point went down (rib?).  This of course drew a crowd.  Comically, Stamkos and Mathews ended up chucking them (tie).  Morgan was first charged with a 5 minute major, which was later pulled back to a 2 minute minor.  Sami continued his stellar play to keep his team close.  When Keefe pulled him in the last minute, Ryan O’Rielly came through huge with a jammer to sent this one to overtime.

My First Star of the game is Ilya Samsonov.  Huge saves in the third period and OT made the difference.  The comeback to status of Morgan Reilly is equal.  His short sider to win the game was awesome.  All is cool in Leafs Land, for now.

HOPPER NOTES:  I get the distinct feeling that we have not seen the best of Jake McCabe, from a scoring or punch up point if view…I know I said this last year, but I am really annoyed that the Tampa franchise was allowed to “steal” our colours…was Victor Hedman always that “red-faced” or does he just have high blood pressure…maybe that Mathews/Stamkos dust up will lead to something else…is there a more Leafs Nation hated opponent than Correy Pecker (other than Marchant and Probert?) …I ABSOLUTEY hate those mobile board ads ! …Knies with Marner and Mathews late in the third – who knew ?

CHEERS ALL !

I did not know what was going to happen in game two of the Eastern Conference quarter final between Tampa Bay and the Toronto Maple Leafs.  There, I said it.

The Lightning came out SO hard in game one, completely smothering the Leafs in every facet of the game.  They went up 2 zip in the blink of an eye, scored 4 PPG and were dominant throughout – Brayen Point, Ilya Kucherov, team defence, their 4^th line – you name it.  One of the only things in the Leafs favour was that 2 stud defencemen, Erik Cernak and Victor Hedman would not play.

Coach Keefe naturally had to make some adjustments.  In came 20 year old Mathew Knies from the press box to play on a new third line with Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Accarai.  Alex Kerfoot was promoted to the second line and Callle Jarnkrock moved up to first line left wing to replace Bunting.

What a difference a couple of days make – 48 little hours.  In an almost ”opposite world” phenomenon, the Toronto Maple Leafs went ahead 1-0 within :47 seconds of the first with Mitchell Marner pounding a 5 hole slapper past Vaselevski to re-ignite the faithful.  Marc Giordano then got the better Bogoshian in a brief scrap at the 4 minute mark to show the Leafs meant business on this night.  Ilya Samsanov looked solid on a couple of occasions to maintain a shutout form.  Morgan Reilly made an assertive move in to the corner off a face off to feed John Tavares for a 2-0 lead.  Just to match Tuesday night’s debacle, Willy Nylander made it 3 zip on Reilly’s 3^rd assist.  No BOO Birds tonight.

If not for All World Goalie Vasilevskiy the Toronto club could have made it 6-0 in the first 5 minutes.  Hats off to the guy.  The Leafs totally dominated the first 9 minutes with all 4 lines.  Ian Cole came up on a harmless rush to challenge and a 3-1 goal.  A great breakout from tonight’s MVP Reilly led to Captain Johny’s second and the apparent backbreaker at 4-1.  The hard working 4^th line of the T.O. squad got a well deserved slammer as Ashton-Reese put in a David Kampf rebound.  Had enough?  No, Marner popped in his second from TJ Brodie to twist the dagger as had happened on Tuesday.  6-1 Tranna after 2. 

Somewhat surprisingly, Coach Cooper left goalie Vasilevskiy in the cage for the third period.  If I was in that room, I’d be saying as ALL coaches would be saying, “Let’s go out there and win the third”.   Luke Schenn (warrior that he is) got goaded into a scrap with Jeanerette early and held his own.  My question: other than him, who is going to stand up ?  Que Wayne Simmons.  Nemisis Perry scored to make it 6-2 before John Tavares completed his hat trick to make the final 7 to 2 Toronto.

HOPPER NOTES:  That Mathew Knies is a keeper – watch as he keeps control of the puck along the boards…LOVE that third line with O’Rielly, Accurai and Knies…think about it- do the Leafs have the toughness to match Bogosian, Perry, Morron ?  My ACE Reporter was on location on Tuesday and after the Leafs went south there were reports of shameless heckling from behind directed at one Justin Holl…in one case, Justin face planted in the corner, only to hear a heckler say, “that’s OK Justin, I remember when I was first learning to SKATE.”…loved the Leafs 4^th line tonight…AM34 please come back ! …Leafs Nation Rejoice – all is well ! CHEERS !

Hello HOPPER ON HOCKEY fans and those in Newfoundland, this is where it really starts – the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  The long suffering supporters of LEAFS Nation will finally get their answer – is this the end of their 6 year run of first round losses or will they conquer all butterflies and show they belong ?

I look so forward to the chess match of line-ups and the gamesmanship from both coaches.  So too, the match up in goal.  Vasilesvky has 63 playoff wins in his 100^th playoff start and a GAA of 2.65 to go along with his .915 save percentage.  Ilya Samsonov has one playoff win, but his season’s GAA of 2.33 and save % of .919 may help him stand up to such a formidable foe.

Will the new (since the trade deadline) and improved version of the Leafs be the magic elixir ?  Those six additions (Ryan O’Reilly, Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, Noel Accurai, Luke Schen and Erik Gustaven) all have added size, grit and competitiveness over last year’s squad.  The Tampa Bay Lightning have a sub .500 record (12-14-4) over their last 30 games.  I guess that’s why we play the games.

STUNNING ?  The Leafs won last year’s game one 5 to zero in a dominating fashion.  Not so much this year if the first period was any indication.  4^th liner Bellemere got the Lightning started 1:19 in on a strong forecheck.  Leafs nemesis Correy Perry played a significant role.  Toronto looked confused and tentative for the first 5 minutes and then Anthony Cirelli made it 2 zip off a rebound.  A lot of Leafs were no shows in that first 20 minutes, especially the bottom six forwards.  The only real good thing was the play of the O’Reilly-Tavares-Nylander line.  Kucherev scored with 2.6 seconds left to complete the dominating performance.  The BOO Birds were singing.

Coach Keefe must have ripped his players a new one between periods because the Leafs came out flying to make it 3 to 2 on goals by O’Reilly and Nylander.  The crowd was re-engaged.  But penalty trouble brought Toronto crashing back to earth as first Brayden Point and then Correy Perry and then Point again made Bunting pay for his 5 minute major for attempt to injure.  6-2 after two. Hmmm, wonder what the Blue Jays score is ?

Joseph Woll started the third period – not sure that was necessary.  He was beaten on a breakaway by Colton to make it 7-2.  Jarnkrok did about the only thing he did all night by directing in a pass from Marner/Mathews to make the final 7 to 3.  We ALL know what Uncle Jed would have said about this one, “Pitiful, just Pitiful.”

HOPPER NOTES:  Tampa Coach Jon Cooper said before the game that his team was a massive underdog – what a “psych-master”…I asked a couple of weeks ago, “is Michael Bunting the new Nazim Kadri – a guy run out of town because of idiotic plays”? …there were an awful lot of empty, high priced seats to start the third period…not very nice to say, but one good thing could be the thinning out of Tampa’s D core due to injury…what a disappointment for Leafs Nation – may the BOO birds and naysayers break their ankles…CHEERS !

I will be watching the Blue Jays game. Look for my report from Game 1 next Monday or Tuesday – cheers (and, GO JAYS GO !)

The Florida Panthers stood tied for the final East Division Wild Card position, tied with the Islanders at 91 points.  The Pittsburgh Penguins were just one point back.  They have won 6 games in a row to jump back into contention.  Did Daddy Walt Tkachuk’s verbal shot calling out the Panthers for being “soft” have something to do with all of the above ?  Or was it Coach Maurice’ rant ?

The big news for the Toronto Maple Leafs on this day was the official signing of 6’3”, 210 pound, second round pick Mathew Knies.  Leafs Nation are finding it hard not to be excited about a Hobey Baker candidate, who is coming off the final in the US College Frozen Four.  He wore # 23.  Let’s see where Coach Keefe plays him.  Sam Lafferty and Calle Jarnkrok sat out with nagging injuries and ECHL Goalie Nick Chinard sat in as back-up.

Not a whole lot to report after the first, other than new Leaf prospect Knies did NOT look out of place, especially along the wall.  He even got a chance to play LW with AM34 and MM16.  His normal assignment looked to be with Kerfoot and Accurai.  The Tavares (LW), Ryan Orielly, William Nylander looked dominant on a few occasions.  A desperate Florida team out shot the Leaf 15-8.

Now, I don’t usually add culinary reviews to my exposes, but I have a FRESHII right around the corners and I just devoured one of their bowls – Avacodo, hard boiled egg, a black been concoction that was out of this world, Kale and a row of Cirachi…heaven !   Anyway, back to hockey…Mathew Marner set up his best pal Austin Mathews for his 40^th goal and his 299^th of his career to make it 1 zip with just 2:10 left.  That was Mitchy’s 99^th point of the season. 

Toronto killers Brandon Montour and his little pal Verheghee tied things up mid third period and you just knew this was going down to the wire.   Coach Keefe kept throwing out Marner/Mathews to make their marks.  Back and forth the clubs went.  Florida desperate to make the 2 points.  OVERTIME.

Jezzuz keep those name bubbles off my broadcast !  Great action from both squads – Captain Johhny, despite being out there for a 2:26 shift, found enough gas to flip a beaut over a Valliant FLA goalie to put it away.

HOPPER NOTES:  is Bunting going to be our new Kadri and run himself out of town over stupid, selfish plays ?  46 saves for Sammi tonight – but, is it just me or is he rather slow getting up after many of his fine saves ?  Please don’t make him a China Doll – sit him out these last 2 meaningless games !  …was there a Tkachuk playing tonight ?  Mathew Knies got smacked around a little in the second but he looks like a keeper to me…the playoffs start one week from tonight – FINALLY !   Boy, don’t you wish you were the “bubble” guy that gets to place all those useless supers to appear ?  My protégé Nick Cousins saw limited action tonight…it must be hard for the Leafs roster to be at all interested in these last 2 games…CHEERS and let’s “Get it On” next Monday/Tuesday…

Montreal vs Toronto, no matter how their season’s have played out deserve a hopperonhockey.ca report.  Calle Jarnkrok out – Wayne Simmonds in.  Morgan Reilly and TJ Brodie out – Liligren and Gufstaven in.  They’re all interchangeable and Coach Keefe knows how to deploy his troops.

That would include re-uniting Austin Mathews, Michael Bunting and Mitchell Marner.  On the second Toronto Maple Leaf PP attempt, Marner scored his 29^th goal toward his 96^th point of the season.  Interesting to note that Ryan O’Reilly was in William Nylander’s spot.  Captain Johnny got his 34^th on another PP helping Marner to his 97^th.  Oh yeah, Wayne Simmonds buried some nobody to end the period.

William Nylander has admittingly been lacking a little lately.  But by scoring his 38^th on a tip in fluke may bring him back.  MM16 tagged in on his 98^th point from a newly rejuvenated Michael Bunting’s pass to score his 30^th from AM34.  A very concerning sequence had Goalie Sami vulnerable after a stretch save (left knee).   Some (me) would have pulled him in a 4-1 game.  But, he stood tall and made some outstanding saves to finish out the period.  A period BTW that had Toronto totally dominate their opponent (SOG 33-9).

The Leafs finished off the Canadiens without much of a fuss.  John Tavares got his 35^th, Austin Mathews got his 39^th and as it will probably turn out, Mitchell Marner got his 99^th point.  7-1 is 7-1.

HOPPER NOTES:  Not sure I would have started Ilya in net, but given the circumstances….kinda like Erik Gustaven (now that he’s returned from family issues) – adds some good offensive depth…I add my tribute to TV Producer Mark Askin – a pioneer…don’t EVER take your children for granted…gotta love that Leafs 4^th line of ZAR – Kampf – Lafferty !  I really like Ryan O’Reilly on my team…Willy Nye had 10 SOG…class move letting UofT backup Alexander play the last 1:10…that was the Leafs 27^th win on home ice…CHEERS !  

First of all – sorry for my errant reporting lately on recent Toronto Maple Leaf games.  Sorry (again), for not caring about Columbus, Detroit, Ottawa games that don’t amount to a “hill of beans”. 

Everyone in Leafs Nation knows the Toronto Maple Leafs will be playing the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.  Hell, we’ve known that since December.  Dumb system that needs to be fixed.

It’s The Masters opening Day and it’s got my competitive juices flowing again.  Boston vs Toronto ?  Gotta have it !

Ryan O’Reilly returned to the Leafs lineup tonight, taking his place on the “third” line between Noel Accurai and Alex Kerfoot.  Coach Sheldon Keefe’s experiment laboratory had Tavares centering Mitchell Marner AND William Nylander.  Austin Mathews was allowed to continue his chemistry tests with Calle Jarnkrok, this time with a new and calmed Michael Bunting.

Zero-Zero after one proved nothing.  Sam Lafferty stood up to a nothing challenge.

Is Ryan O’Reilly the “NEW” Swiss Army knife for Coach Keefe ?  Dude can do it all – kill penalties, contribute defensively (and offensively), centre your third line.  Ilya Samsanov continued to stand tall throughout the second period.  The lines are starting to balance out nicely.  Witness Sam Lafferty scoring the go ahead goal.

We all knew that the Bruins weren’t going to fold up and let the Leafs walk out of their building.  Sure enough, a relentless forecheck equalled Charlie McCavoy’s 14^th to tie things up.  Despite an heroic AM34 shift in the last minute – we were on to overtime.

Almost immediately, the Leafs were in the box to create a 4 on3.  Boston drew final blood on David Paternack’s 57^th goal (11 in 11 games) for the 61^st Bruins win of the season.

HOPPER NOTES:  McCabe and Brodie seem to be the designated shutdown pair…Bunting has done a nice job impersonating someone else…Marc Giordano will be 40 next season…still like Rahm and/or Hovland at Augusta…the Jays have righted the ship – or so it would appear…did y’all miss me ??

Last year’s President’s Cup Trophy winner as the NHL’s top overall points getter now find themselves in a MUST WIN situation with 10 days left JUST to make the playoffs.  Can Paul Maurice and Mathew Tkachuk will their Florida Panthers to go on a run ?

Just one minute in, a fumbled clearing pass from Jake McCable let Anton Lundell put the Panthers out front 1 Zip.  A scrambly line change in front of the Leafs bench caused some nastiness between Bunting and Gudas which led to some 4 on 4 play.  The Toronto Maple Leafs had looked a little lacklustre to start but some good play on the 4 on 4 seemed to spark the home team as they lead the rest of the period with a 15 to 6 SOG advantage.  Surprise Panther starter, 30 year old former AHLer Alex Lyon, made several good saves to keep Florida in the lead at the buzzer.

Can you say “Snoozefest” ?  When this writer’s first thought is to comment on the excellent play of the Leaf’s 4^th line or that they have won the face-off battle 70 to 30%, you know we’re not witnessing a classic.  However, Zach Ashton-Reese (ZAR) did knockdown a TJ Brodie point shot for the tying goal and then forced a (failed) penalty shot off a nice line breakout with speed.  Calle Jarnkrok had one called back on an offside right after the ZAR goal.

AM 34 scored his 37^th for the go ahead goal at 6:40 of the third.  That was his 9^th in 11 games.  Mitchell Marner kept up with his own remarkable pace by assisting to support his 11 game point streak.  The Panthers scored in the first minute and the very last minute of this one when Sam Reinhart tipped in a Montour point shot to force an overtime.  In that extra stanza, Mathews was absolutely robbed by Alex Lyon to take away a sure game winner with his catching mitt.   As is almost always the case, Florida took one down on a 2 on 1 where Captain Sasha Barkov feathered one over to Brandon Montour for the game winner.

HOPPER NOTES:   William Nylander was near invisible all night until a risky play in OT lead to the 2 on 1 winner…Montour had been sitting on 61 points for the season for a couple of games now – that was just 1 point shy of the Panthers record for points by a defenseman…well, he is now the franchise record holder with an assist on the tying goal and then scoring the winner – well done Brandon ! …just like the Blue Jays, screw this preliminary stuff and let’s get on with the REAL games…HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FIRST BABY – AMY, ELIZABETH !!