The Leafs are one win away from advancing to the second round for the first time since 2004
But with the Leafs headed back to Florida for a second crack at eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning – after falling short in a“I haven’t won anything,” he said Friday before the team left for the airport. “Close, but like I said, I didn’t win anything. So I don’t know how much help I am.”
But the back-to-back overtime wins at Amalie Arena, victories that have the Leafs one win away from advancing to the second round for the first time since 2004, could provide something of a comfort blanket, if not a psychological advantage. Add to those the 4-3 win there in the penultimate regular-season game, and Toronto is aiming for a fourth successive victory on Tampa ice.
It’s certainly some way removed from one year ago, when the Maple Leafs lost two out of three games at Amalie Arena on their way to a seventh consecutive first-round playoff exit. Of course, down 3-2 once again and with its back against the wall, Tampa would need to establish a new high to escape the first round this time.
Playing a more complete game would certainly do no harm to the team’s cause. Despite scoring the opening goal of the game on Thursday, Toronto’s lead lasted all of 26 seconds as Anthony Cirelli set Tampa on the road to victory with the equalizer. “The game obviously builds throughout 60 minutes and the situation kind of arises because obviously time starts to tick away and the urgency picks up on both sides,” Tavares said. “But no doubt I think we want to come out and take control the game.”
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