The Tampa Bay Lightning are the closest thing to a dynasty that the NHL has produced since the salary cap began. Some may argue the Chicago Black Hawks or the LA Kings or Pittsburgh Penguins belong in that conversation. Don’t forget that the Lightning were in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final and have been in that same final the past 3 seasons, winning 2 Cups. Leading the way throughout has been 32 year old Steven Stamkos. He is just 3 goals shy of joining the 500 goal scoring club. And he’s not done yet. Last season he ended up with 42 goals and 106 points.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted this same Lightning squad at the Scotiabank Arena tonight sporting a 2 game losing streak vs Tampa’s 5 game win streak. The Leafs were currently just 3 points ahead of the Lightning whom have 2 games in hand. Calle Jarnkrok was back alongside Tavares and Marner and Matt Murray got the start in goal.
As expected, both contenders came out with bang in the first 5 minutes. I would give Tampa a slight advantage, having two great chances in tight. The Leafs started to take the momentum, shutting down the Lightning (who didn’t have an SOG for 10 minutes). Toronto’s hard work paid off with just over 3 minutes left when Michael Bunting converted a nice feed from Nylander to open the scoring. Michael’s 100th NHL point. The Leafs were outshooting TB 12-4 at the time. When Toronto got their first power play, Sheldon Keefe sent out his latest chemistry experiment, sending his top five forwards out. A brief skirmish happened at the buzzer when Bunting asserted his displeasure after a Nylander mishap = double minors.
As the second period began, the Toronto PP prevailed as Austin Mathews peppered a well-screened, high short sider to make it 2 ZIP. That was his 5th in 7 games and 17th on the season. The Leafs had another PP opportunity and directed 7 more shots on goal with their 5 forward combo including some very clever playmaking but to no avail. To explain the dominance with stats: 34-12 shot attempts at the 10 minute mark, 25-5 SOG and the Lightning only had 4 shots the entire second period.
The Lightning must have gotten a stern talking to in the second intermission because, man they came out smokin’ to start the third. They had their speed, they had their forecheck and their nastiness. Before the 5 minute mark they had their reward. Namestikov popped in his own rebound to make it very interesting. Back and forth the teams went and slowly you could see Toronto regain their composure. TB had to pull their goalie and sure enough Engvall and later Nylander put away empty netters to win a key game 4 to 1 with a 40-19 SOG advantage.
HOPPER NOTES: In my opinion, the Leafs pulled off a tic for tac trade, adding Dryden Hunt from Colorado in exchange for Denis Malgin. The 6 foot 195 pounder is more suited to a bottom six role on Toronto and he has 150+ hits already… Keefe says he protects the puck well and Denis Malgin was never going to fit in the top 6…those trade rumours for a top six left winger to play with Marner and Tavares ? I’ll take O’Reilly over Tarasenko any day…too bad these two teams don’t play again until April 11…Rasmus Sandin did not play the third period – uh oh…would Jarnkrok rather play the left or right side (right shot)…nice to see Hayesy B acknowledged up in the broadcast booth with Gordo – a future all-star broadcaster for sure…when the dust settles, will the Leafs still be 8 pts behind Boston ?…it can be a stressful time of year for many of us: did I buy the right presents, have I been fair to all my loved ones etc….just remember how lucky you are to love and be loved and please remember those in need…CHEERS to all !
Again, I missed the game.
Totally rely on your excellent reports to keep me in the loop.
Friggin’ Bruins..I thought they would struggle to make the playoffs this year.
Shows what I know about anything.
They just don’t quit – you missed a good one !