The Tampa Bay Lightning meet the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first of four games this season. The game is in Toronto and the Lightning are coming off a lackluster performance Saturday in Ottawa. Safe to say there is no love lost between these two organizations. The victor in tonight’s game takes a step up from the other in the standings. In addition, a win tonight can set the tone for the season series and perhaps even the playoffs. One game of the 82 on the schedule does not usually have critical implications. This one feels different. Both teams view themselves as Cup contenders. There are plenty of superstars in this game. Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Victor Hedman and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the visitors. Newly named captain, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Morgan Reilly and William Nylander lead the Leafs. No doubt this is a big Atlantic Division test. Especially coming away with a win.
Marquee Matchup
This game is more than just about divisional bragging rights. History could be made. If Kucherov scores a goal, he’ll join a shortlist of players who scored eight goals in their team’s first five games. In the last 35 years, only Alex Ovechkin, Auston Matthews, Patrick Marleau and Mark Parrish have accomplished this feat. Immediately upon the puck drop tonight, the pace of the game was played with a frenzy. The speed was blazing and the hits were bone crushing.
The Leafs were buzzing more than the Lightning at the start of this game and it paid off. Nylander punched in a goal as the game hit the four minute mark. Facing the Leafs is tough but when their fans start making noise, it can make it a harder challenge. After getting the game’s first goal, the Leafs turned up the heat. They were intent on tilting the ice as much as possible.
As the period entered the final five minutes, Hedman lofted the puck and hit Nick Paul for a breakaway attempt. Paul bore down on Leafs netminder Anthony Stolarz. Paul went for a backhand forehand but Stolarz made the save. Toronto defenseman Simon Benoit trying to catch Paul slid into his goalie and knocked the puck in his net.
Nick Paul’s breakaway is stopped by Stolarz but Benoit ends up pushing it over the goal line 😬#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/EMoFlvY4Wb
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) October 22, 2024
Who Wants the W more in this Atlantic Division Test
After the first 20 minutes, these two teams battled to a 1-1 tie. It didn’t last long. Before the 2nd period was two minutes old, Matthews scored on the power play to break the tie. Five minutes later the Leafs struck again. Nylander scored his second of the game to lift his team to a 3-1 lead.
Striking while the iron was hot, Toronto added their fourth goal of the game as Max Pacioretty blasted one past Vasilevskiy. That goal chased the Lightning goalie from the game as Jonas Johansson replaced Vasilevskiy in net. That didn’t matter. Less than five minutes later, Matthew Knies wristed a shot past Johansson and the rout was on.
After a great start in the first few games of the season, Vasilevskiy has looked very bad in the last two games. The second Nylander goal and the Pacioretty goal should have been stopped. The focus we saw from Vasilevskiy at the beginning of the season seems to have been lost.
Lightning Fail the First Atlantic Division Test
If this was a Little League game, the mercy rule would have been called. The Leafs were playing to make a statement against one of their fiercest divisional rivals. Opposed to the Lightning whose play generated nothing but questions.
The Lightning had their third power play chance as the final period began. Failing to score for the 13th straight power play. A few minutes later the Lightning had another power play opportunity. No goal in 14 straight chances with the extra man.
As the game progressed, the chippiness started. One of the newest Bolts, Zemgus Girgensons dropped the mitts against Max Domi. The fight was a draw but Domi earned an extra two minutes for roughing, giving Tampa another power play. What do you know, Point scored on the power play to make the score 5-2 Leafs.
“Stolarz went fishing!” 🎣
Brayden Point capitalizes on a wide-open net for a power play goal.#TBLvsTOR
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9Tynk9H
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/YRfpfPH5iU— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) October 22, 2024
The game ended with that 5-2 score. Despite the final horn, there was an all out fight between the two teams after the game was over. Good news for the Lightning is they play tomorrow night in New Jersey. No time to think about this game.
Three Stars
- William Nylander – 2 goals, 1 assist and was all over the ice all game long.
- Anthony Stolarz – 32 saves on 34 shots for a 94.1% save percentage.
- Victor Hedman – 2 assists and the only Lightning with a positive +/-
What’s Next
Tomorrow night in New Jersey to face the Devils who are leading the Metropolitan Division. Puck drops at the unusual time of 6:45 pm.
