New York. The Toronto Maple Leafs pulled off an exciting turnaround in Tampa last night.
They lost 4-1 to the Lightning with just over ten minutes remaining, but they caught up and then won in sudden death.
“It’s probably the most dramatic transition I’ve been a part of,” says Swedish forward Kalle Jarnkreuk to Sportbladet after a 5-4 win over compatriot William Nylander, who contributed three assists.
It’s already over.
Leading 4-1 after 49 minutes, Tampa was in complete control and may have begun to enjoy the fact that they were able to level the series against opponents from the north.
But then the almost unimaginable happened.
The Leafs, who are constantly accused of crouching on receiving, made an inconsequential conversion against no-loss Tampa holding a three-goal lead going into the final playoff period.
I stood for a huge truck
First Auston Matthews cut the lead to 4-2 and two minutes later to 4-3 – and with just over four minutes remaining, Morgan Rielly leveled.
Then the sensation was complete when Alexander Kerfoot on a power play drove 4.14 into overtime, a sudden-death puck.
— It was an undeniably good feeling, says usually quiet host Calle Järnkrok when we chatted to him after celebrating on the ice.
We didn’t start really well, the first period was really bad. Then we played a little bit better in the second set, although they scored a few goals, and of course it’s strong to come back from three goals down in the third.
But it has to be one of the most dramatic things you’ve been through, right?
– Yes, this is perhaps the most dramatic turn. Shit fun, of course.
Tribute to William Nylander
William Nylander played a huge part in the Blue-Whites’ mad comeback and assisted on three of the goals – including Kerfoot’s decisive goal (with which he grabbed the Swedish league’s scoring lead in the play-offs).
– Yes, he was insanely good, but he often praised his fellow countryman Yarnkrok.
With that win, the Leafs are in a great position and can make the decision in Game 5 at home in Toronto on Friday night.
If so, they won their first playoff series in two decades.
“We have to make sure we start better and then try to play well the whole game,” says Calle.
Victor Hedman assisted on two of Tampa’s goals in tonight’s game.
