The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-3 on Tuesday night in game one of the first round.
Tampa Bay stole one on the road, and got the momentum in their favor to start the series. Meanwhile, Toronto fans are already getting flashbacks to the past 18 years of playoff shortcomings.
Game Recap
The Lightning took no time settling in. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare tucked away a backhand shot off a rebound for the 1-0 lead 1:18 into the game. Cirelli followed up Bellemare six minutes later with another rebound goal to increase the lead to two. After the goal, Tampa Bay received their first power play chance. It was unsuccessful, but a power play at the end of the period would see a different result. With four seconds remaining, Kucherov fired a one-timer from Ovi’s office to take a 3-0 lead into the break.
Toronto looked like they found their stride to start the second. Two Bolts penalties were capitalized on by the Leafs O’Reilly and Nylander, respectively, to bring the game back within one (3-2). Penalties, however, would kill the Maple Leafs momentum. David Kampf’s slashing penalty was the first to cause trouble. Brayden Point took advantage and put distance between the two teams again. Shortly after, Michael Bunting received a costly five minute major for a check to Erik Cernak’s head. In the five minutes of power play time, Corey Perry and Brayden Point netted number five and six. The second period saw Tampa Bay add another goal to their lead. Interestingly, all goals in the period were scored on the power play.
The third period mellowed out compared to the previous two. Ross Colton scored the Lightning’s seventh goal of the night with thirteen minutes remaining. Colton’s goal sent Maple Leafs fans on the quest to beat traffic, as the arena started emptying out. Calle Jarnkrok would score one more goal for Toronto with just under twelve minutes remaining. Although it was a tough loss, Jarnkrok’s goal would leave an ounce of joy for Leafs fans.
Tampa Bay dominated game one, but it came with a cost. Victor Hedman, Erik Cernak, and Mikey Eyssimont all exited the game early due to injury.
FL Teams Star of the Game
Kucherov and Perry each recorded three points but one managed a positive goal differential in less time. Corey Perry recorded a goal and two assists with a +1 differential. He put up these points in 13:49 of ice time.
Up Next
Tampa Bay remains in Toronto for game two on Thursday night. The second game of the best-of-seven series drops the puck at 7:00 PM EST at Scotiabank Arena.
Click HERE to check out our video reaction from the game!
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