TORONTO | Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner had scored a grand total of one goal in seven games against the Canadiens last year in the first round of the playoffs. They had taken a good portion of the blame on their shoulders for the quick elimination against CH.
• Read also: Corey Perry, the fierce competitor
• Read also: An unexpected chance for Louis Domingue
A year later, the two big stars of the Maple Leafs already have a better record against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After two games, Matthews and Marner have each hit the target twice and are tied for the team lead in scoring with five points.
With five points each, Matthews and Marner exceeded their production from last spring. The number 34 had obtained five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in seven games against CH, while the number 16 had finished with four points (0 goal, 4 assists).
Psychologically, the Leafs have already signed a small victory. Beyond a series tied at 1-1 against the Lightning, Sheldon Keefe’s team has the assurance that its two star players have ticked present.
“It’s very positive,” Keefe said. They feel good, they have found ways to score goals. When you play against a goalkeeper like Vasilevskiy, you know it won’t be easy. But they have already scored big goals for us. It’s a good sign to know that they blacked out the score sheet quickly in this series. »
Former captain of the Calgary Flames and first ever captain of the Seattle Kraken, Mark Giordano expected to see his two young teammates at the top of their game.
“They’re playing well, they’re the guys that drive this team,” Giordano said. Since I arrived in Toronto, that’s exactly what they’ve been doing. I love watching them play. Auston and Mitch had two good games, not just offensively. They also made big defensive plays with good withdrawals and breaking two against one. »
The same mentality
A few hours before leaving for Tampa, Keefe had invited his players to a team meeting. Only a handful of players hit the ice at the training center in Etobicoke.
Giordano, Jack Campbell and Matthews met the local press. Asked if he felt more confident than last year, Matthews stayed enough ice.
“My state of mind doesn’t change too much,” he replied. No matter what happens, I still have the same focus and mentality. I want to play my style of game and I have to help my team to win. »
Slow down Hedman
Great players find ways to elevate their game in the playoffs. If Matthews and Marner have a good start, so does Victor Hedman. In the second game, the Swede was the best player on the ice with four points (1 goal, 3 assists).
“You have to keep it in its own territory, warned Giordano. You have to place pucks behind him. He’s been the best defenseman in the NHL, probably for five or six years. He plays very well in his zone, he skates well, he is good offensively and he has an impact in all situations. »
“He’s big, strong and he does everything on the ice,” Matthews said. He is as good offensively as defensively. He’s like the Lightning’s anchor. You can’t give her time and space and allow her to feel good. The big names in the Lightning pushed hard in Game 2. It will now be our turn to respond. »
Discipline
There is a belief that referees store their whistle in overs. That’s not the case in this matchup between the Lightning and the Maple Leafs. After two games, the Lightning have already taken advantage of twelve power-play opportunities, compared to ten for the Leafs.
In Wednesday night’s 5-3 loss in Toronto, the Maple Leafs gave up three goals on seven shorthanded attempts.
“There are several penalties, everywhere in the NHL since the start of the playoffs, affirmed Giordano. It’s not just our show. The referees are tough. As players, we just have to adjust. You get confused when you stop moving your feet. There is no doubt that the referees are strict. »
Jack Campbell, a man of few words in front of the microphones, also spoke about the importance of discipline for his team. The 30-year-old American departed from cliched answers for just one question in his 2:30 press scrum. And it was about Jon Cooper’s men’s power play.
“They obviously have a good numerical advantage. They have two dangerous options with their two guys (Stamkos and Kucherov). There aren’t many two-gun teams like that. In the first game, we did a good job of containing them. But they are good players and they will make games. As a goaltender, my job is to block pucks. »