It has finally happened. Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be excused for their excessive celebration of their team’s first-round series win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. It has been a while since they accomplished this feat (you might have heard). For a team that has long been criticized for underachieving, their success in critical moments helped them advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Captain John Tavares’ overtime series-clinching goal was the latest example of a key play at a key moment that results in a victory. The randomness of hockey means a fortuitous bounce can often determine the outcome. The Leafs have seemingly forever been on the wrong side of the “hockey gods”. Countless times in previous years, their opponents authored an indelible memory at the expense of the Leafs. Over the last two weeks, that changed. This time, important plays at opportune times led the Leafs to win.
Overtime Success Key to Series Win
Most Stanley Cup champions can reflect on important overtime victories during the playoffs that shifted the momentum. The Montreal Canadiens took this to the extreme when they were the last Canadian team to win a championship. Before this series, the Leafs had recently experienced momentum-shifting, heart-breaking defeats at the hands of Brayden Point, Nick Suzuki, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Often the Leafs had outplayed their opponent but would lose.
Against the Lightning, the Leafs dominated in Game 2 only. They stayed around long enough to steal Game 3, thanks to Morgan Rielly’s winner in the extra frame. When trailing late in Game 4, the Leafs played some of their best hockey of the series. The third-period comeback enabled them to win again in overtime on Alex Kerfoot’s tip of Mark Giordano’s shot from the point. A more controlled, composed Game 6 allowed them to hang around on the road and advance to the second round on Tavares’ sudden-victory goal. Three momentum-shifting results, to the detriment of the Lightning and in favour of the Leafs.
Huge Saves From Ilya Samsonov
A collective groan could be heard from Leafs Nation after Michael Eyssimont’s bad-angle goal during Game 5. A soft, deflating goal was given up at an important moment during the game. A feeling of deja vu in Toronto. From James Reimer to Frederik Andersen to Jack Campbell Leafs’ goalies have a recent history of giving up a weak goal at the worst time. Felix Potvin, Curtis Joseph, and Ed Belfour provided big saves during prior Leafs’ playoff runs. Ilya Samsonov looked lost on Eyssimont’s shot and the Leafs never recovered during the game.
Samsonov bounced back by giving his best performance during Game 6. Head coach Sheldon Keefe rightfully sang his praises for making key saves at appropriate times. He did not steal games during the series, but his saves during the clincher and the pivotal Game 4 win were crucial.
Leafs Benefit From Calls and Bounces
Leafs’ fans of a certain age will not-so-fondly remember a non-call of a high stick from Wayne Gretzky on Doug Gilmour during the Western Conference final in 1993. Just before the end of regulation time in Game 6, T.J. Brodie accidentally clipped Brandon Hagel with a high stick. While not malicious, by the rules, it was a penalty. Yet, referees do not want to determine the outcome of hockey games. This is especially evident in closely-contested games late in a series. The Lightning and their fans won’t agree, but it was correct to not make that call. The Leafs were able to start overtime at even strength and avoid the lethal Lightning power-play.
During a late third-period power play in Game 6, the Leafs benefitted from Samsonov’s goal post. He was beaten on a Steven Stamkos one-timer but it caromed off the post and out of harm’s way. Had it gone in the Leafs would have been trailing late in the game and another Game 7 pressure-cooker was likely.
A critical review during Game 4 also went the Leafs’ way. Brayden Point thought he had jammed in a puck sitting at the base of Samsonov’s pads. The referee had blown the play dead, losing sight of the puck. The call on the ice was no goal and it was upheld upon review. Had it counted the Leafs were unlikely to complete a comeback.
Finally, Tavares’ series clincher came from a generous redirection off the skate of Lightning defenceman Darren Raddysh. Such is the way overtime games often end.
Continued success and fortune in critical moments will help the Leafs advance further in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For a long time, they have been on the wrong side of fortune. “Lady Luck” may finally be smiling at them.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
