"The first period saw Tampa Bay generally carry the play, as they were more organized and efficient in their breakouts/puck play, while the Leafs frequently flipped the puck away and struggled to get it back. More excellence from Dennis Hildeby - and a last-ditch goal-line save by Troy Stecher - kept the Lightning at bay despite a 25-13 Tampa advantage in shot attempts and a 7-3 Tampa advantage in high-danger chances."
"Back at five-on-five, the Leafs scored against the general run of play in what would stand up as the game-winner 44 minutes of game action later. In perhaps his best game of the season, Simon Benoit did a great job turning back an entry attempt by stripping Jake Guentzel as Tampa was in the middle of a line change, kick-starting a rush attack in transition."
The Maple Leafs secured a 2-0 victory that mirrored their 2024-25 division-title formula and moved them within two points of the division lead. Tampa Bay dominated early with more organized breakouts, a 25-13 edge in shot attempts and a 7-3 edge in high-danger chances, but Dennis Hildeby and Troy Stecher preserved a scoreless start. An off-puck scrum drew a Tampa penalty that the Leafs could not capitalize on. At five-on-five, Simon Benoit stripped Jake Guentzel during a line change, led a transition, and a deflected play allowed Morgan Rielly to score the game-winner. The Leafs then clamped down defensively and generated additional chances.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]