Game 1 was a catastrophe for theToronto Maple Leafs The Tampa Bay Lightning controlled them for the whole video game; and also, in the long run, generated a 7-3 win in Game 1 of their first-round playoff collection. For the Lightning, Brayden Point racked up 2 objectives while Nikita Kucherov and also Corey Perry each had an objective and also 2 aids. Anthony Cirelli and also Ross Colton added an objective and also an aid each, while Pierre-Edouard Bellemare likewise racked up for theLightning The Lightning racked up 4 power-play objectives. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 conserves in his 100th playoff begin.
Not Much Good News for the Maple Leafs
For the Maple Leafs, Ryan O’Reilly, William Nylander, and also Calle Jarnkrok racked up. Mitch Marner tallied 3 aids and also Auston Matthews included 2. Toronto winger Michael Bunting obtained a suit charge and also video game transgression for an unlawful hit to the head of Tampa Bay’sErik Cernak
Game 2 is established for Thursday evening in Toronto.
After the Game Sheldon Keefe Was Asked to Assess the Damage
Maple Leafs’ head instructor Sheldon Keefe spoke with the media after his group’s 7-3 loss. The warm subjects for the media consisted of (a) the group’s sluggish begin, (b) the opportunity of the group’s anxiousness or tentativeness, (c) Michael Bunting’s suit charge for a hit to the head, and also (d) the fallen short goaltending disturbance difficulty that resulted in Tampa’s 6-2 objective.
He likewise discussed the efficiency of Auston Matthews and alsoMitch Marner Keefe likewise claimed it was prematurely to understand whether Joseph Woll would certainly begin Game 2 which it is the nature of a playoff collection to need to react.
Related: Maple Leafs News & &Rumors:Vasilevskiy &, O’ Reilly &Knies
And, According to Coach Keefe …
According to instructorKeefe’s remarks, below are things his group requires to improve.
Area of Improvement One: Improved Defensive Play
First, the group requires to enhance their protective play, particularly around their internet. The group was quiting uncharacteristic tap-in objectives and also shedding fights around the internet.
Area of Improvement Two: Improved Confidence
Keefe confessed that he picked up anxiousness or tentativeness amongst the group at an early stage in the video game, which might have impacted their play.However he really did not assume nerves contributed in their protective gaps.
Area of Improvement Three: Improved Carefulness
Although instructor Keefe appeared to supply Michael Bunting an action of poise in relation to his suit charge for a hit to the head, still there’s a demand to be much more cautious with the physicality of the video game. Keefe kept in mind that Bunting’s “situation” was that he was attempting to win a race for the puck and also it escaped him.
Area of Improvement Four: Improved Special Team’s Play
However, the Maple Leafs’ unique groups’ play was intriguing, to state the least. I have actually never ever seen 2 objectives racked up with much less than a couple of secs left in the duration 2 times– ever before, that I can keep in mind. But the Lightning did it both at the end of the very first duration and after that once again at the end of the 2nd duration.
Perhaps it was merely misery, or probably the Maple Leafs thought the Lighting would certainly allow the clock unwind. But credit history the Lightning for NOT allowing the clock unwind. Those 2 objectives took the wind out of the sails.
It likewise inconvenienced to evaluate the Maple Leafs’ five-on-five play.
Related: Four Reasons Why Matthew Knies Isn’ t Starting Game 1
On a Positive Note for the Maple Leafs
Finally, instructor Keefe assumed that Auston Matthews and also Mitch Marner had a great deal of enter their video games. They were regularly humming about in the offending area.
Grocery List of Things to Fix for Game 2
based upon Sheldon Keefe’s post-game remarks, these are the bottom lines the Maple Leafs require to do much better at if they stand a possibility of winning Game 2.
- The Maple Leafs require to enhance their safeguarding around their very own internet. They require to handle rebounds and also inside protection.
- The group has to stay clear of getting on their heels early in the video game. They require to conquer their anxiousness or tentativeness.
- The group requires to minimize charges and also stay clear of suit charges like Michael Bunting’s struck to the head.
- The Maple Leafs require to drink it off and also react to a challenging loss and also the nature of a playoff collection.
- The group requires to produce even more circulation in their five-on-five play.
- The Maple Leafs require to make much better protective choices. They acknowledged numerous uncharacteristic objectives.
- The group requires to win even more puck fights before their very own internet. There were a lot of simple tap-ins.
Related: What Are the Odds the Maple Leafs Will Beat the Lightning?
