The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally overcome their playoff “demons” and secured their first playoff-round win since 2004. This comes after six straight seasons of failing to get out of the first round of the playoffs, despite having a core of talented players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. So how did the Leafs topple a tough Lightning team? Let’s break down the seven key factors.
First off, Mitch Marner delivered an impressive first round, logging 11 points in six games and averaging more than two points per game in the playoffs. Auston Matthews also stepped up when it counted, scoring two crucial goals in Game 4 to mount a wild comeback and turning the tide of Game 6 with a crucial goal.
Ryan O’Reilly, who was acquired in a big trade by Kyle Dubas, also proved to be a veteran leader for the Leafs both on and off the ice. He backed up his words with actions, blocking a crucial shot before the buzzer in Game 3 and scoring the game-tying goal with one minute left. He also had seven points in six games and helped to calm things down with smart, responsible plays.
The Leafs also showed a newfound ability to win games late, which had been a struggle for them in past seasons. Sheldon Keefe even commented on this, saying that the team had lost such games in the past but in this series, the team stayed with it and made sure they got the win.
And let’s not forget about the contribution of goalie Ilya Samsonov. Though he struggled early in the series, he maintained a “bend but don’t break” mentality and rebounded in Game 6 with an impressive 31-save effort.
Overall, the Leafs were able to overcome their past playoff woes by playing as a team and stepping up when it counted. With these key factors in mind, it’s no wonder they were able to topple the Lightning and secure a spot in the second round.
