The Toronto Maple Leafs were at home for game 2 of their best of 7 series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. The Leafs headed into the game up in the series 1 – 0. It was a hard fought game but at the end of regulation the home team fell to the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 3 – 5.
The Maple Leafs had multiple opportunities in the first to put the game away. Missed chances by the Leafs 4th line of Kase, Blackwell and Simmonds could have easily gave the Leafs a 3 goal lead and the they would be off to Tampa with a 2 gamer in hand!!
Tampa Bay Lightnings’ goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy seized the opportunity with timely saves in the second period and defensive player Victor Hedman took it upon himself to win the game.
Leafs rookie Michael Bunting looked poise for a big game and he did scoring his first NHL playoff goal, assisted by no other than his linemates Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Auston Matthews showed his evolution as a 200 foot player. He striped pucks and as a sniper he was astounding!!
The series is now tied 1 – 1 heading to Tampa Bay for game 3 of this best of 7.
Three Stars of the game
- Victor “The Wall” Hedman (Tampa Lightning) D
- Andrei “The Timer” Vasilevskiy (Tampa Lightning) G
- Auston “The Sniper” Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) 200 foot game
Quotes
Keeping it true blue by Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe, he said:
“The refs set the standard early. They took one (player) after the whistle, which made it pretty clear that they were going to call it like that. We didn’t do a good job of reading that and responding to that. We’ve got to be more responsible.”
Well said coach, keeping it real… Are you listening Cooper!
Commentary
The Leafs took way too many penalties! They could of easily been up 2-0 in the series. Now its a best of 5 series going into Tampa Bay.
There are still five games left. I’m keeping my prediction and saying the Toronto Maple Leafs take it in 5! The leafs will be razer focused and gunning in all cylinders in game 3.
En Route to the Stanley Cup finals! This is the Sentry Sorgini reporting to you. Stay tune for Game 3 on Friday May 6th.
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