Leafs will need to break another Vasilevskiy streak to win Game 7
Game 6 was a golden opportunity for the Maple Leafs to end their now 18-year absence from the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They managed to erase a 2-0 deficit, but couldn't hold off the lethal Tampa powerplay after 2 questionable high sticking penalties left them with only 3 defenders. In overtime, Andrei Vasilevskiy managed to hold the fort long enough for the Lightning to jam one past Jack Campbell. Vasilevskiy's streak of 5 straight shutouts in elimination games was ended, but the Leafs will have to do it all over again Saturday night in the Six.
The next streak that will need to be broken is the 5 straight shutouts when Tampa has the opportunity to close out a series. The Leafs have risen to the occasion against the most difficult playoff matchup this core has seen. Tonight they'll need everybody going at 100%.
The key to getting the puck past the reigning Conn Smythe winner, in my opinion, is going to be getting bodies in front of him. Even the best goalie in the world can't stop what he can't see. Look for the Leafs to have a heavy net front presence any time they can tonight. If I've had one criticism of the team through 6 games its been them passing up opportunities to shoot the puck. Tonight they'll need to be putting pucks on net and crashing hard for rebounds.
Tampa brought their very best against the Leafs in game 6. Fighting for their lives like cornered animals. Now that the Leafs back's are against the wall, I expect the same response out of them. The Leafs know whats on the line here, they know what their past looks like, and believe me when I say they want to flip the script just as badly as the fans do.
| POLL | ||
MAI 14 | 561 ANSWERS Leafs will need to break another Vasilevskiy streak to win Game 7 How many goals will the Leafs score in Game 7? | ||
| 0 | 24 | 4.3 % |
| 1 | 128 | 22.8 % |
| 2 | 63 | 11.2 % |
| 3+ | 346 | 61.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
