Lightning Silence Playoff Demons in Game 5 Victory Over Leafs

The Tampa Bay Lightning accomplished their goal of putting pressure on the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs in their Thursday night win. With a record of 0-10 in elimination games in the Auston Matthews/Mitch Marner era, it’s no secret that the Leafs are feeling the weight of their playoff history. However, the Lightning players refuse to focus on that narrative, instead concentrating on their own game and preparing for a tough matchup in Game 6. Despite doubts about their fatigue and ability to keep up with the Leafs, the Lightning proved themselves with a near-perfect road game and an outstanding performance from goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. As the series continues, it remains to be seen which team will come out on top, but the Lightning are determined not to let this opportunity slip away.