Leafs credit Jason Spezza for speaking up to spark comeback win over Tampa
He didn't play in Games 1 and 2 and aside from an unfortunate penalty in Game 4, was not noticeable in either game in Tampa either. It wasn't just Spezza struggling in Game 4 though, the whole team was awful.
Playing on the fourth line, he doesn't see much ice, and would see less if he wasn't on the second powerplay unit, but Spezza has contributed to the team in another way. After going down 2-0 early in the first, there was a TV timeout and Campbell was making his way to the bench when Spezza hopped the boards and had some words for him. Campbell seemed to settle in after that, making some huge saves the rest of the period to keep the Leafs in it heading to the intermission.
During the intermission, Spezza continued to use his veteran leadership and spoke up in the dressing room. He told the team that they needed to find another level to their game. It appears his speeches to both Campbell and the team during the intermission got the Leafs going and they certainly found another gear in the second and third. The Leafs absolutely dominated the second, getting on the board with Tavares' first of the series and then again early in the third where they scored twice in just over a minute to take the lead.
Clearly when Spezza speaks the team listens. Not only did they find another compete level, but they were able to sustain it for the final two periods, even when Tampa tied it. In the end, the Leafs were able to secure a huge Game 5 win and give themselves 2 chances to close out the series this week.
| POLL | ||
MAI 11 | 1087 ANSWERS Leafs credit Jason Spezza for speaking up to spark comeback win over Tampa Should Spezza play in every game from here on out? | ||
| Yes | 860 | 79.1 % |
| No | 79 | 7.3 % |
| Depends on the matchup | 148 | 13.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
