Jon Cooper throws some shade at the Leafs ahead of Game 5

Well, despite having what he might consider the better team, the Leafs and Bolts are deadlocked at 2 games apiece, heading into a 3-game series where the Leafs hold the home ice advantage, which begs the question; are the Leafs closing the gap on the Bolts after a string of recent departures in Tampa Bay?

On Tuesday, following the Lightning's morning skate, Jon Cooper took a bit of a shot at the Leafs, who came out sluggish and flat-footed in Game 4. There's no doubt that Tampa was ready to go right from puck drop in Game 4, while it took the Leafs awhile to get going - something Cooper wanted to rub in people's faces on Tuesday.

The Leafs are going to have to be ready to from right from the opening faceoff if they hope to answer back after being blown out 7-3 on Sunday in Tampa. The Buds can't risk being embarrassed like that at home and heading to Tampa for Game 6, hoping to extend the series in enemy territory to force a Game 7 at home.

In my opinion, Sheldon Keefe needs to write this one down on the whiteboard in permanent marker and draw attention to it with his guys before the start of all 3 periods tonight. The Lightning didn't become back-to-back champs by being pushovers. If you want a win against the Bolts, you have to go out there and take it, which means solid two-way play and a high level of compete.

This is pretty much as close to a must-win as the Leafs have had in this series. A win in Game 5 means multiple chances to close out the series in 6 later this week. A loss means they're on the ropes yet again and will need to steal one in Tampa to reach a Game 7. The fact that Tampa hasn't lost back-to-back playoff games in 3 years also doesn't do the Leafs any favours.