Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game 4: It’s Go Time!

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game 4: It’s Go Time!

The Toronto Maple Leafs can celebrate Mothers Working day in great style by taking a commanding 3-1 guide on the back again-to-back defending Stanley Cup Champs.

But if things ended up that quick, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have gained a collection considering the fact that you replaced the aged VCR with a DVR.

Activity A few was insane – the Leafs started out good, but experienced to withstand a massive barrage in order to earn.  IMO this is terrific news due to the fact you ended up in no way beating Tampa 4 periods if you have to “deserve” to gain just about every activity you win – it is the playoffs, so your goalie has to steal some game titles, and Campbell stole that one particular.

Now, down in the sequence, Tampa has to encounter up to the point that the Leafs have not even had a sport where by Matthews and Marner dominate, and John Tavares is nevertheless to exhibit up.

It is continue to heading to be very tough, but all indicators are pointing in the Leafs favor.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game Four

The Leafs lineup remains primarily the identical as it was for recreation three – and that is far too undesirable simply because sitting down Timothy Liljegren is unbelievably dumb. It’s just as silly as very last year when Montreal’s (shortly to be fired) coach sat Romanov and Caulfield vs the Leafs.

This was my worry when the Leafs traded for Giordano Lyubushkin- that they’d end up in a scenario wherever they overvalued vets and bodily engage in, whilst leaving arguably their two very best defenseman on the bench.  I can recognize sitting Sandin thanks to his harm that has not witnessed him enjoy a video game in 6 months, but sitting Liljegren is amid the worst coaching moves in NHL heritage, if you want my viewpoint.

I also want to criticize, in the strongest possible phrases, the notion of actively playing Michael Bunting on the fourth line, with Alex Kerfoot driving shotgun with Matthews and Marner.   This is a vintage scenario of the coach overthinking matters.   This is a ridiculous thought, and, if Bunting is hurt so they are hoping to limit his exposure, just don’t enjoy him.

I suspect that the Leafs will revert to normal by the next time period, but I never know what Keefe is contemplating in this article.

Now, even though I really do not like the Leafs existing lineup, I have to say that they have absolutely gained the benefit of the question.   I am certain that if Keefe individually stated to me why he’d performing what he’s undertaking, I’d likely end up agreeing with him.  He’s bought his explanations, this staff is amazingly deep, and I am sure that at some position Liljegren will get back again into the lineup and prove his truly worth.

I be expecting the Leafs to win tonight, and then what will stick to will be a mind numbing comparison to previous seasons’ 3-1 collapse to the Canadiens that will just get louder when the Leafs reduce recreation five in Toronto on Tuesday.

We are in for some enjoyable!