Tampa defeats Toronto 4 games to 3

[Shane Diesel]

Every once in a while the universe delivers.

I'm gonna watch the Steve Dangle Vod all summer.

 

[bov]

Leafs did enough to win the series. Anyone questioning their heart or asking to "blow it up" is a moron. The reason Tampa is back to back is because they stayed patient with their core instead of giving into outside pressure, regardless of heartbreaking losses.

Matthews was absolutely dominant and brought a physical game on top of it. I was crapping myself anytime the Leafs star players had the puck in the offensive zone, which was often.

There is nothing better than sending Leaf fans home with a devastating loss, but let's be real. They gave everything they had and could've easily won this series.

 

[HabsQC]

Toronto only have Auston Matthews for 2 more years now. Of course he could re-sign, but will he after all this choking ?

 

[BMOK33]

Nick Paul looked good to me. Certainly better than leafs 3rd and 4th liners

They are better than FLA, I'll tell you that much. Surprised so many are taking FLA to win there

 

[Foppberg]

Ohhhh Toronto... For once I was rooting for y'all, even going into the game I thought they'd pull it off. The Leafs just had a different energy to them this season, but ran into the defending champs who know how to get it done.

Matthews also went from Conn Smythe mode in games 1-6 to ghost mode tonight, that didn't help. I'm not sure what you change but I don't think they should do too much honestly, maybe booster the defense but they have a solid club.

 

[YearsintheWilderness]

The Toronto hockey media herd is already pushing the narrative that the boys fought hard and no big changes are needed.

That is one of Dubas's greatest strengths as a GM: self-preservation. He treats the hacks well and as a result they rarely criticize him.

 

[U55]

Good game. It was a tough series to finish off and close out. This was the most vulnerable tampa has been as a team for a while, and they still pulled it out without point. That was a gutty effort against a very good team. Now we get to lose to the panthers next!

 

[LGBlues]

Congrats Tampa fans - If they 3peat and Toronto took them to the limit maybe all this talk about Toronto needing to blow everything up will calm down.

 

[Pi]

Lol. The refs just reviewed a high stick call in the Edmonton game but gave Tampa a 5 on 3 last game. Man reffing in the league is just garbage.

 

[WolfgangPuck]

Feel sorry for you Leaf fans.
You got a good team
There always next year

 

[TampaBayLightning]

Way to go Bolts!! Toronto is a great team and I would not have been shocked if they beat the Bolts.

 

[The Macho King]

I know everyone wants to pile on the Leafs, but as a Lightning fan I gotta say...

Go for it. Its awesome. This was a victory for all of us.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

I love it when the Leafs lose and get knocked out like normal. But this season the Leafs looked like they belonged and probably should have won it. Very different from other years. Leafs fans keep your heads up.

 

[Rapsfan]

Why was interference called against the pick and roll on what would've been the 1st goal for TO but not against the hold on the Tampa 1st goal? Game would've been 1-1 if calls were consistent.

 

[NyQuil]

It’s a tough loss.

That’s two years in a row when they had their foot on the jugular and their foe squirmed free to win in the end.

 

[deleted user]

Wanted Toronto to exorcise their demons. I guess there's always next time. Sigh.

 

[TheDizee]

cherry picked and cost his team in g6, did nothing important in g7.

what a "star" player LOL

 

[snowkiddin]

This year nobody choked. They were beaten.

There’s a big difference.

I think TO beats any other team in the East.

I wouldn’t go that far. I’d have Boston, Florida, and Carolina in the tier where it could to either way with the Leafs.

 

[Burke the Legend]

Leaf narrative seems to be forming around “blame the refs” lol. What’s this group 0-10 in elimination games?? Matthew and marner not swearing it too hard tho they will fly to Cabo play a few rounds then hook up with bieber tour, not a bad summer.

 

[Shane Diesel]

What a great Saturday.

 

[TampaBayLightning]

Lol. The refs just reviewed a high stick call in the Edmonton game but gave Tampa a 5 on 3 last game. Man reffing in the league is just garbage.

Maybe your team should be nicer to the Refs

 

[MikeyMike01]

maybe all this talk about Toronto needing to blow everything up will calm down

I hope so. I want this exact same group back here next year so we can do it again

 

[VivaLasVegas]

Leafs totally win that game easy if Florida tax rates were higher.

 

[TheAngryHank]

Things that are guaranteed in life:

1. Death
2. Taxes
3. The Leafs losing in elimination games

Leafs = Cowboys..talented roster...every start of the season it's " thier year" great regular season..1 and done in the playoffs.. it's unreal.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Sure hope Point is ok because these Bolts should win the cup again.

He’s still faking it according to your expert analysis. Sat out the whole game hoping the refs would penalize the Leafs.