APRIL 18, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 13-7-2 · 1ST IN EAST, ATLANTIC
13-7-2 · 1ST IN EAST, ATLANTIC
Next Game at Lightning · Sun 12:00AM
The goalies, the core, the demons: 5 burning questions for the Maple Leafs against the Lightning Let's break down five questions that could sway the Maple Leafs-Lightning series one way or the other.
NHL Playoffs picks, odds for Rangers vs. Devils, Lightning vs. Maple Leafs See odds and expert picks for Tuesday's Stanley Cup Playoff games.
APRIL 18, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Ilya Samsonov - Pulled in Game 1 loss Samsonov was pulled after two periods in Tuesday's 7-3 Game 1 loss to the Lightning. He allowed six goals on 29 shots.
Impact Four of the six goals against Samsonov came on the power play, but he struggled to keep his concentration, allowing a goal in the last five seconds of both the first and second periods. The latter blunder was the last of the night for Samsonov, who was replaced by Joseph Woll at the start of the third. Samsonov went 19-3-3 on home ice in the regular season, so he'll likely get a shot at redemption in Game 2 on Thursday, but his career playoff record is now a dreadful 1-7.
APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Mitch Marner - Bright spot in Game 1 loss Marner dished out three assists -- two on the power play -- in Tuesday's 7-3 Game 1 loss to the Lightning
Impact Marner had a hand in all three of Toronto's goals. Back-to-back power-play markers in the second period allowed the Maple Leafs to pull back within one, but Tampa Bay then scored four unanswered goals before Marner got his third point. At least this performance should give Marner -- who has only seven goals in 39 career playoff games -- some confidence heading into Game 2 on Thursday.
APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Joseph Woll - Makes playoff debut in relief Woll played the third period of Tuesday's 7-3 Game 1 loss to the Lightning and allowed one goal on five shots.
Impact Woll came in for his postseason debut after Ilya Samsonov allowed six goals through two periods. Unless Matt Murray (concussion) makes a swift return, this may not be the last we see of Woll in this series with Samsonov on shaky ground after this Game 1 clunker. Samsonov will likely start Game 2 on Thursday, but his leash will probably be shorter.
APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Auston Matthews - Two helpers in Game 1 home loss Matthews had two assists -- one on the power play -- in Tuesday's 7-3 Game 1 loss to the Lightning
Impact Matthews remarkably finished the game with a plus-1 rating, but before you absolve him of blame for this blowout loss at home, consider that Matthews also played 4:54 on a Toronto penalty kill that gave up four goals. The first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has 17 goals and 18 assists through 40 playoff games, but he has yet to win a series in his career, and Matthews will need to play better for Toronto to finally get over the hump for the first time since 2004.
APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Michael Bunting - Set for disciplinary hearing Bunting will have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head and interference against the Lightning's Erik Cernak in Tuesday's Game 1.
Impact Bunting was given a match penalty on the play, but it appears that more discipline could be coming. The ruling should be available at some time Wednesday. If Bunting is ultimately suspended, Matthew Knies or Wayne Simmonds could enter the Maple Leafs' lineup.
APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Erik Kallgren - Up with Maple Leafs Kallgren was summoned from AHL Toronto on Tuesday.
Impact Kallgren posted a 3-2-4 record at the NHL level this season with a 2.67 GAA and an .898 save percentage in 10 appearances. He will serve as the third goalie on roster during the postseason behind Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll.
APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Ilya Samsonov - Starting playoff opener Samsonov will guard the home crease in Tuesday's Game 1 versus the Lightning, David Alter of Sports Illustrated reports.
Impact Samsonov appears to have a fairly firm grip on the starting role while Matt Murray (concussion) is out. During the regular season, Samsonov didn't appear in any of the Maple Leafs' games versus the Lightning. The 26-year-old had a 2.33 GAA and a .919 save percentage over 42 appearances in a career year.
APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Erik Gustafsson - Not participating in Game 1 Gustafsson (upper body) took warmups but won't play in Tuesday's Game 1 versus the Lightning, David Alter of Sports Illustrated reports.
Impact Gustafsson's absence will stretch to four games, though his presence in warmups suggests he may be near a return. His next chance to play is Thursday.
APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Leafs look to end drought, face Lightning again The Toronto Maple Leafs again have home-ice advantage when they meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in a first-round opener in the NHL playoffs Tue...
APRIL 18, 2023 • SACBEE.COM
Maple Leafs power play can't get unplugged in playoffs again A noticeable drop in playoff power play production has the Leafs changing the look of both their units. New forward Ryan O'Reilly is a key.
APRIL 18, 2023 • TORONTOSUN.COM
Maple Leafs' McCabe on cusp of first NHL playoff game: 'Sheer excitement, sheer joy' It’s the moment Jake McCabe has been waiting for.
APRIL 17, 2023 • WINNIPEGSUN.COM
Maple Leafs counting on Schenn to make 'unique' impact on the blue line To start the series, Schenn will be paired with Morgan Rielly.
APRIL 17, 2023 • TORONTOSUN.COM
Lightning, Maple Leafs meet again in 1st round of playoffs
The Tampa Bay Lightning have enjoyed more success than any other team over the past three NHL postseasons, while the Toronto Maple Leafs have dropped eight consecutive playoff seri...APRIL 17, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Re-vamped Leafs aim to defeat their past in new playoff year After six eliminations in the first round, the Leafs re-launch Tuesday against the Lightning believing it's their time at last.
APRIL 17, 2023 • WINNIPEGSUN.COM
Maple Leafs fans second-most desperate among all Canadian NHL teams: Survey As the NHL playoffs begin this week, fans are showing their spirit -- and desperation.
APRIL 17, 2023 • WINNIPEGSUN.COM
Playoffs should be Coach Keefe's coming out party Sheldon Keefe has yet to win a playoff series in the NHL: He has coached the Maple Leafs to eight post-season victories, total.
APRIL 17, 2023 • TORONTOSUN.COM
BY THE NUMBERS: Comparing the Maple Leafs and Lightning A glance at how the Maple Leafs and Lightning stacked up during the regular season (placing is in the NHL overall):
APRIL 17, 2023 • WINNIPEGSUN.COM
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Series Betting Preview & Picks The opening-round matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning pits two divisional foes against each other. Which team wi...
APRIL 17, 2023 • NESN.COM
NHL playoffs preview The NHL playoffs are here. What are the matchups? Who are the favorites? Check here for all analysis and live content from our team of write...
APRIL 17, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
LeBrun: Maple Leafs or Lightning? Rival head coaches and execs break down the matchup and pick a winner Four NHL head coaches and 13 front-office execs give The Athletic their analysis of the first-round matchup — and who the clear favorite is.
APRIL 17, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Siegel: Now more than ever, the Maple Leafs need their stars to will them over the top The big four stars of the Leafs have been good, but not good enough when it matters most. More than ever before, that needs to change.
APRIL 17, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Lightning visit the Maple Leafs to start the NHL Playoffs
The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning in game one of the Eastern Conference first roundAPRIL 17, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bruce Boudreau on Maple Leafs' Luke Schenn: 'He would stand up for me' in Vancouver Bruce Boudreau might not have felt much love from Canucks management during his final days in Vancouver, but he had a supporter in now-Maple...
APRIL 17, 2023 • WINNIPEGSUN.COM
