The Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff nightmare continues. Game 1 arrived Tuesday night in Toronto with much anticipation. It took the Leafs less than two minutes of game time to deflate their fanbase with a Zach Aston-Reese turnover that led to a Tampa Bay Lightning goal. The route was on. What followed was one team looking like neophytes to postseason hockey and the other like they were playing pond hockey with their buddies.
Just before the first-period buzzer, Nikita Kucherov scored to make it 3-0 Lightning. Next, the hometown Leafs were rightfully booed off the ice. A feeling of “here we go again” engulfed Scotiabank Arena. The year-long wait to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs started with a gigantic THUD! There is no shortage of issues to address before Game 2 on Thursday.
Lack Of Discipline Must Be Addressed
It is rather obvious. Facing a team with an experienced, prolific power play means you must limit your times shorthanded. The Leafs missed the memo. They surrendered two power-play goals in the first period. Then, after briefly gaining momentum and cutting the Lightning lead to a goal, a David Kampf slashing minor led to a third Lightning power-play goal. Finally, the most egregious lack of discipline was exhibited by Michael Bunting. Down 4-2 with the game still in reach, his headshot to Erik Cernak all but sealed the Leafs’ fate.
Bunting has always been a controversial player, but he is in danger of becoming a modern-day version of “Sideshow Bob”. This penalty can not happen at that stage of a two-goal hockey game. Naturally, the Lightning scored yet another power-play goal. With it, came the next glaring Leafs’ error.
Sheldon Keefe Outcoached
Many series’ prognosticators pointed out the large discrepancy in postseason success between Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe and his Lightning counterpart John Cooper. Eighteen Stanley Cup series victories for Cooper, four finals appearances, and two Stanley Cup championships. Keefe has had better regular season results than most, but nary a playoff series win. On this night, the head coach disparity showed.
Keefe made a questionable coaches’ challenge after the Lightning’s fifth goal. The puck did not appear to go completely across the goal line on most replay angles. He likely thought it was worth the risk to keep the game within two goals, but an unsuccessful challenge means it likely becomes a four-goal disadvantage. The key point Keefe missed was the call on the ice by referee Wes McCauley that it was a good goal. The call on the ice stood since replays were inconclusive.
Keefe did not have his team ready to play. They did not resemble a team that should have revenge on its mind after last year’s defeat to the Lightning. Cooper, on the other hand, flipped his team’s switch to “playoff mode” and they demonstrated their usual spring mastery.
Adjustments Needed As Pressure Mounts
Keefe insisted “pressure is a privilege” before this series started. Well, his team is overflowing with honour now. The home-ice advantage is already gone and teams that lose the first two games at home are over ninety percent likely to be eliminated. With Bunting likely suspended, perhaps Matthew Knies will make his playoff debut. Iyla Samonsov rarely faltered throughout the year, but his opening game was not strong. A soft backhand between his legs brought back unpleasant memories of the Leafs’ previous leaky net play during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Leafs’ star players did okay, but fine will not cut it. They did not make a difference. Kucherov and Brayden Point did their usual postseason magic. A bright spot for the Leafs is potential injuries to the Lightning’s defence. That may not matter without a major change in performance.
The pressure mounts. The Leafs must play better, be smarter, and coach better. There is no lack of work to do in the next two days. A must-win game awaits. Lose and the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff nightmare continues.
Main Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
