Tampa. The defending champion put his foot into the qualifying series against Toronto last night.
They led 1-0 after a minute, increased to 3-0 after eight minutes, and were ahead 5-0 ahead of third and eventually won 7-3.
“It’s very good to always win the game after defeats because if you lose twice in a row in qualifying, you are in trouble,” Victor Hedmann tells Sportbladet.
Toronto, who won Friday’s duel at the Amalie Arena, had been hoping to take the lead in the Round of 16 against Tampa Bay with a fresh victory last night, but as evidenced by the numbers up front, there was no doubt about how that would turn out. Round 4 ends.
Stephen Stamkos pounded in a shot from the Blue Line just a minute later, then the home team practically rolled over their guests from the north.
– Yes, it was good that we got off to such a good start, and only managed to spin for the rest of the match, he says Victor Hedman When we spoke to him the final whistle in Triumphal Main Hall in downtown Tampa.
– Today we were a lot hotter overall than it was last time, but it also helps that we stayed away from the ejection chamber in the first period. We got more flow into the game when everyone got involved.
Strong result to show
It is not important now that the Bolts win when they lost the match before. On the contrary, this is their specialty. Since the start of the 2020 qualifiers, they have already achieved an amazing 16-0 result in this type of fight.
“It’s a very impressive result, because if you lose twice in a row in the playoffs, you’re in trouble,” Vig continues.
– But this is something that we have only in us, we simply get up at such times.
New points tonight
The Angermanland linebacker racked up two new passes last night, was dominant in nearly every change and made sure Leafs stars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner never got any space.
“It felt good, it’s a big job to play against them all the time and we’ve been able to stop them getting into so many positions,” he says.
Instead, William Nylander scored his first two qualifying goals of the year in the third half, when the match was already decided. At the same time, Eric Calgren deservedly tore down the safes. When Jack Campbell conceded five goals, Eric had to take on the task and the truth is that he stood firm; The home team’s last two goals were in the empty net.
Now the center stage in the game series is 2-2 and a big game awaits in Toronto on Wednesday night.
– It would be fun to go there again. Victor says the top three now applies, and our plan is of course to win two more games.
Just as expected: the duel between Minnesota and St. Lewis became a long-distance runner.
The Blues won tonight’s meeting at home at the Enterprise Center and thus recognized the series of matches.
“Yes, they’re good, we’re good, and here we are,” said Blues coach Craig Perrob philosophically after the 5-2 win.
Jordan Kerro was king of the match with two goals, as veteran Ryan O’Reilly excelled. One goal and two passes was the result.
The series continues with a fifth tour at St. Paul on Wednesday night.
