It was a superb Toronto Maple Leafs bounce-back in Game 2 towards the Tampa Bay Lightning. But, for some time, a lot of the hockey world was questioning if the Maple Leafs have been heading down the highway to a different first-round disappointment. However, after Game 2, some questions have been answered.
The Maple Leafs confirmed up quick and robust. The group got here out aggressively, beginning proper from the puck drop. They went head-to-head with Tampa’s finest shutdown line. And, they beat them.
Mitch Marner picked off a move, drew a penalty, and scored on the primary shot of the sport. The Maple Leafs then went by way of a little bit of a dry spell, however ultimately asserted themselves and took the sport to the Lightning.
Instead of ready for the Lightning to make errors, the Maple Leafs pressured them into errors. Then they pounced. In this version of Maple Leafs’ Quick Hits, I’ll check out among the performs of the sport after which anticipate what these may imply going ahead.
Related: Key Takeaways from Maple Leafs’ 7-2 Win Over the Lightning
Quick Hit One: Maple Leafs Show Jekyll and Hyde Inconsistency: What Now?
The Maple Leafs put in a significantly better efficiency in sport two towards the Lightning. Their convincing win tied up the collection. However, query marks stay about Toronto’s consistency and psychological toughness. One group of commentators referred to as the group “Jekyll and Hyde.” Why? Because they have been unpredictable.
While the Maple Leafs performed arduous and confirmed aggression in Game 2, they have been criticized for his or her lack of efficiency in Game 1. In Game 1, the Maple Leafs appeared to shrink within the face of problem. The reality is that, till we see what occurs in Game 3, there’s nonetheless some query about whether or not the group might be trusted to carry out when the going will get powerful.
The Maple Leafs’ gamers do have playoff expertise, however they don’t have “winning” playoff expertise. I’ve to marvel how at all times shedding in collection one creates a state of affairs the place the group has by no means discovered overcome adversity and win when it issues. Fortunately, Ryan O’Reilly does have that have not too long ago. However, Maple Leafs’ followers don’t but understand how the group will react if it falls behind within the collection once more.
What we do know is the Maple Leafs’ potential. They confirmed that in Game 2. The star gamers stepped up and delivered. However, till they’ll show they’ve the psychological toughness and consistency to compete on the highest degree and are available again each time they should, there will likely be doubts about their potential to win within the playoffs.
Related: Bill Barilko, the Tragically Hip & the Most Famous Goal in Maple Leafs History
Quick Hit Two: Ilya Samsonov Shows His Mental Toughness Shines Through
After Game 1, questions on Ilya Samsonov’s psychological toughness and talent to overlook a nasty sport haunted him. However, earlier than Thursday’s sport, he needed Wednesday’s observe yesterday to give attention to his stopping pucks. Samsonov admitted he performed poorly, like s**t, in his phrases.
Still, he got here to the rink smiling. He picked himself up and dusted himself off. Then he went out and beat the superb Andrei Vasilevskiy at his personal sport. He created the vitality and his teammates (partly) fed off it. Samsonov saved the Maple Leafs within the sport throughout some Lightning offensive flurries within the first interval.
However, the Maple Leafs then commandeered the scoreboard. The crowd went loopy, and the Blue and the White took over the sport.
Quick Hit Three: Can the Maple Leafs’ Stars Shine Again in Game 3
The environment and crowd have been each wild at Scotiabank Arena. The bodily nature of the sport, with fights and bodily play, acquired the followers concerned. However, the win was led by the Maple Leaf stars, with Morgan Reilly, John Tavares with a hat trick, Austin Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander combining for 14 factors.
Matthews had two assists. Tavares scored his first postseason hat trick. Marner led the best way and had a formidable efficiency by scoring two objectives and including an help. Rielly posted 4 main assists. Nylander scored a aim and added an help.
The group’s stars led the best way each on the facility play and at even energy. Both areas have been dominated by Toronto. Now the query is: Can the group do it once more tonight?
Related: The Good, Bad, & Ugly In Maple Leafs Game 2 Win vs. Lightning
