Two Leafs stars comment on the mood in the room following blowout loss
The Toronto Maple Leafs can't press the panic button just yet but losing 7-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 was most definitely not the start to the series they were expecting. The Lightning limped their way into the post-season after having lost 4 consecutive games - including one to the Maple Leafs - before winning their season finale. They were outscored 21 to 11 in those 4 losses, while the Maple Leafs had won 4 in a row and 5 of their last 6.
Penalties, goaltending, and suspect defense cost Toronto home-ice advantage in the series. Of course the Michael Bunting match penalty was heard around the world but allowing 4 power play goals on 8 attempts will almost never help you to win you any game, no matter the opposition.
Two stars of the team took to the media on Wednesday to discuss how the team feels after Tuesday's blowout loss, what they need to do to improve, and how they feel heading into game 2:
Mitch Marner on what was the root cause of the loss and how they are going to approach game 2 and beyond:
William Nylander chimed in as well, not only believing in himself and the team but reiterating that they are not panicking after one awful game:
Sheldon Keefe trying to keep a calm, cool, and collected approach heading into Game 2:
The Leafs' most dangerous opponent isn't Tampa in this series - it's the Leafs themselves. If they can't start on time, play a composed game and capitalize on their chances, it's going to be another very long summer, and they'll have only themselves to blame.
