ECQF - Game 4 - 7:30PM EDT - #2 Toronto vs #3 Tampa Bay (TOR Leads 2-1)

[TheDaysOf 04]

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[Strangle]

Last year these teams were evenly matched. This year Toronto has gotten better and Tampa has gotten worse.

Go out there and make it 3-1!

GO LEAFS GO

 

[A1LeafNation]

Has Maroon been suspended yet?

 

[Advanced stats]

Both teams treating this as a must win.

Expecting Tampa to be violent. If that's the case leafs will have their PP opportunities

 

[John Mandalorian]

This is likely going to be another game of escalation. Tampa feels entitled to get some favorable calls. What happens if they don't get them? And what does Toronto do if Tampa does get favorable calls?

There is a massive difference between 2-2 and 3-1. This isnt the series but no other game to this point has had as much riding on it.

 

[ACC1224]

Wonder if we'll get another Matthews beat down of Stamkos?

 

[LeafGrief]

This series is getting nasty, you just love to see it.

GO LEAFS GO

 

[Just Rude]

#TuckFampa

 

[HockeyVirus]

I'm scared. Leafs don't win tonight if the effort matches last game for both teams. Tampa was killing us with their speed to pucks and if the Leafs tried to close the gaps were getting smoked. We were trying to hit back but our biggest hitters were too slow and would be out of position with the speed the puck was moved.

Leafs found a structure that seemed to work, Sammy bailed out what didn't, and they got some timely goals on their chances. But Leafs need to learn from that game and find their own legs. Tampa isn't the only team built to be ferocious on the forecheck and physical on pucks.

Leafs need to push the pace of play. Don't care what they say any team is rattled when you get it 110% and still lose. Leafs have a strong opening 10 minutes, suddenly they are winning the mental aspect of the series.

Strong start please, GLG

 

[Madap]

I'm scared. Leafs don't win tonight if the effort matches last game for both teams. Tampa was killing us with their speed to pucks and if the Leafs tried to close the gaps were getting smoked. We were trying to hit back but our biggest hitters were too slow and would be out of position with the speed the puck was moved.

Leafs found a structure that seemed to work, Sammy bailed out what didn't, and they got some timely goals on their chances. But Leafs need to learn from that game and find their own legs. Tampa isn't the only team built to be ferocious on the forecheck and physical on pucks.

Leafs need to push the pace of play. Don't care what they say any team is rattled when you get it 110% and still lose. Leafs have a strong opening 10 minutes, suddenly they are winning the mental aspect of the series.

Strong start please, GLG

Leafs played about has bad as they could as still won. They won’t play like that again.

The only people who are scared are the Tampa players and coaches. It’s so clear that they don’t know what to do to beat Toronto so they’re trying to play dirty and continue their diving. Reeks of desperation.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Leafs played about has bad as they could as still won. They won’t play like that again.

The only people who are scared are the Tampa players and coaches. It’s so clear that they don’t know what to do to beat Toronto so they’re trying to play dirty and continue their diving. Reeks of desperation.

Well it works for them, so I would rather not leave it up to the refs to decide. Leafs hopefully come out and put in 2 goals in the first 10 minutes and control play. I don't think Tampa beats us 3 times in a row.

They may have champ mentality but 3 long playoff runs, pretty natural I think for them to accept their fate of this isn't their year especially if guys are hurting like Hedman and Point and have a nice off season to recover. I want the Leafs to push Tampa to accept their fate.

 

[JoVel]

From reddit - Tampa Bay fans when they realize other teams goalies can steal wins too:

This doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Which game has Samsonov stolen? Just because Vasi sucks doesn't mean Samsonov stole the game.

 

[93gilmour93]

This doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Which game has Samsonov stolen? Just because Vasi sucks doesn't mean Samsonov stole the game.

Game 3. Tampa was the better team after the first period but Samsonov was the best player on the ice for either team in Game 3 especially in the second period and overtime

 

[Madap]

Well it works for them, so I would rather not leave it up to the refs to decide. Leafs hopefully come out and put in 2 goals in the first 10 minutes and control play. I don't think Tampa beats us 3 times in a row.

They may have champ mentality but 3 long playoff runs, pretty natural I think for them to accept their fate of this isn't their year especially if guys are hurting like Hedman and Point and have a nice off season to recover. I want the Leafs to push Tampa to accept their fate.

Yeah, hopefully. I just think the Leafs have been pretty good at bouncing back after bad games this year and I think tonight will be no different. Obviously no guaranteeing a win or anything but I just expect them to be better. Should be a good game either way.

 

[JoVel]

Game 3. Tampa was the better team after the first period but Samsonov was the best player on the ice for either team in Game 3

Ehh, Tampa scored enough goals to win. They just allowed goals they shouldn't in the playoffs.

 

[Transplanted Caper]

Leafs were able to win a game Tampa controlled on Saturday. They'll need to be more ready to go tonight. Suspect they will be. Make hay while the sun shines and Vasy is struggling as the age old saying goes.

 

[HarrisonFord]

Vasilevsky has never lost a playoff game after losing back to back games before

 

[FrozenJagrt]

How long after puck drop til we see posts from both fanbases complaining about the officials?

 

[Dr Pepper]

How long after puck drop til we see posts from both fanbases complaining about the officials?

Well it's already started, so.....yeah.

 

[93gilmour93]

Vasilevsky has never lost a playoff game after losing back to back games before

And never had let in 6 or more goals in a playoff game till game 2 of this series. The Leafs shooters have made Vasi look very ordinary

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Well it's already started, so.....yeah.

It really is tiring, isn't it? There have been bad calls and non-calls both ways, but it gets exhausting to see folks acting like a team is getting preferential treatment like there's a conspiracy against them.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Ehh, Tampa scored enough goals to win. They just allowed goals they shouldn't in the playoffs.

And the Leafs didn't?

 

[JoVel]

Vasilevsky has never lost a playoff game after losing back to back games before

Vasi lost 6 playoff games in a row once.

And never had let in 6 or more goals in a playoff game till game 2 of this series. The Leafs shooters have made Vasi look very ordinary

7-0 against Colorado last year.

 

[Dr Pepper]

It really is tiring, isn't it? There have been bad calls and non-calls both ways, but it gets exhausting to see folks acting like a team is getting preferential treatment like there's a conspiracy against them.

Well, it's not isolated to this series at least. Plenty of it going on in the Wild/Stars series thread, as well as in others. Fans feel slighted, particularly after a loss, and they vent. It's inevitable.

 

[93gilmour93]

Vasi lost 6 playoff games in a row once.

7-0 against Colorado last year.

Was he in for all 7 goals cause on tv they said it never happened during game 2