A look back at the recent history of Game 5's for the Leafs
As we are aware, game five goes tonight between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Historically speaking, when a series is tied at two, the winner of game 5 emerges victorious in the series over 75% of the time. With that in mind, let's take a look back at recent Toronto Maple Leaf game fives.
2017 vs Washington Capitals, 2-1 OT loss:
With the series tied at two, a young Maple Leaf team was seeking to steal a win on the road against the President Trophy winning Caps. But after a great goaltending battle (Freddie Andersen vs Braden Holtby), Justin Williams, or Mr. Game 7, won it in early in Overtime.
2018 vs Boston Bruins, 4-3 win:
Heading into Boston down in the series three games to one, the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to steal a victory on the road. The Leafs were out shot 45-21, and goaltender Freddie Andersen was accredited the games first star.
2019 vs Boston Bruins, 2-1 win:
With the series even at two games a piece, the Leafs headed into to Boston looking to take the series lead. With the game scoreless halfway through the third period, Auston Matthews opened the scoring with a somewhat controversial goal. Boston challenged the goal due to what they felt was goaltender interference. The call on the ice was upheld, although many Bruins fans disagreed.
Kyle Dubas also credited this game as the game that saved Mike Babcock's job, at least in the short term. Babcock was fired after a poor start the following season, at the press conference, Kyle Dubas revealed he felt the way the Leafs played in this particular game was exactly how he wanted them to play under Babcock when they decided to stick with him as coach that off-season.
2020 vs Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-0 loss:
In the deciding game of the play-in series, despite outshooting the Blue Jackets 33-22, the Toronto Maple Leafs were shutout. Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo earned top star of the game.
2021 vs Montreal Canadiens, 4-3 OT loss:
With the Leafs up three games to one in the series, they headed home hoping to close out the Canadiens. Despite battling back from a three goal deficit to send the game into overtime, an Alex Galchenyuk turn over in the first minute of overtime would lead to a 2-on-0 rush against, where Nick Suzuki would win it for the Habs.
| POLL | ||
10 MAI | 173 ANSWERS A look back at the recent history of Game 5's for the Leafs Does recent Leaf playoff history mean anything for this years team? | ||
| Of course! Same core | 44 | 25.4 % |
| Means something, but is overblown | 66 | 38.2 % |
| Means nothing | 63 | 36.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
