New York. The Toronto Maple Leafs were very close to beating the defending champions and breaking into the Stanley Cup playoffs tonight.
But at the end of the first overtime period, Tampa’s own surprise King Brayden Point hit and shattered the dream—at least for the time being.
– It feels so fun and inspiring to go to Toronto and play Game 7. These are the kind of matches you’d dream about, Victor Hedemann told Sportbladet after the 4-3 victory.
That was eighteen years ago Toronto Maple Leafs She won a playoff round, but last night was pretty close.
They had a 3-2 lead in the third inning and plenty of opportunities to make up their minds even after Tampa’s steady draw in a contentious five-to-three situation – and in the stretch that followed queuing up hungry hounds like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares reaching hot spots .
But Andrei Vasilevsky held out strong and at 18.04 in the first overtime period, Lightning’s sudden-death specialist Brayden Point appeared in front of Jack Campbell and whipped into the decision.
– This is his time. He says it’s “Mr. Clutch.” Victor Hedman When we get to it then.
Terribly bitter on the Leafs and all of their fans, of course. They got a second chance in the Infernal Match 7 at home at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, but in such a drama, the story sadly speaks against the Blues and the Whites.
– Despite what happened, we can’t do anything about it, says Matthews in a firm voice when he meets the media afterwards.
– Now he’s just about to the next game. It’s just up to us to get out and “put our balls to the test”.
However, Tampa is also looking forward to Saturday night.
– Yes, it is an incredible pleasure and inspiration to go to Toronto and play Game 7. These are the kinds of matches you dream of, says Vig.
Nylander mentioned that two new passes were introduced last night.