This yr’s Lightning and Maple Leafs collectible sequence puck options pictures of Steven Stamkos and Auston Matthews. That is suitable because the captains dropped their gloves through the third interval of Game 3 of the opening-round matchup between the groups.

Tampa Bay and Toronto had not met within the postseason till final spring. That’s too unhealthy as a result of the groups have placed on fairly a present, together with the aforementioned scrap. Even in one-sided video games, the Bolts and Leafs have provided cause to proceed viewing.

If final yr’s opening-round seven-game sequence was not fascinating sufficient, a sequence the Lightning received whereas on their technique to a 3rd consecutive Stanley Cup remaining look, the primary three video games of this yr’s sequence have provided many rewind-the-DVR moments.

The sequence, which the Maple Leafs lead 2-1 following a 4-3 extra time victory in Game 3, noticed every workforce win massive in Toronto. While there was no drama so far as the result within the first two video games at Scotiabank Arena, there have been headline-making moments led by Michael Bunting’s hit to the top of Erik Cernak that has resulted in each lacking video games. The former is eligible to return for Game 5 following a three-game suspension whereas the standing of the latter, out because the hit and out for Game 4, stays unknown after sustaining what was doubtless a concussion.

Game 3 was one that won’t quickly be forgotten. For one, Leafs followers should really feel good that their workforce received a playoff recreation through which it was outplayed. Goalie Ilya Samsonov did what the man on the different finish, Andrei Vasilevskiy, has completed quite a few instances lately: be the distinction.

“Over the last number of years, we’ve lost this (kind of) game a lot of times,” stated Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe. “Tampa Bay was better than us in a lot of areas, but our guys stuck right there.”

What transpired 5:04 into the third interval had all people within the constructing on their toes. Brayden Point had a scary second after crashing into the boards as he and Morgan Rielly chased the puck. Point, along with his hand to his chest, needed to be helped off the ice. Rielly was assessed a serious, solely to have the decision overturned to no penalty. Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov each dropped the gloves with Matthews and Ryan O’Reilly, respectively.

Not solely did Tampa Bay, main 3-2 on the time, should make do with out the providers of Stamkos and Kucherov for about eight minutes – similar for Toronto with Matthews and O’Reilly — due to the primary stoppage following the conclusion of the majors not happening for one more couple of minutes, and Point for about six minutes earlier than he surprisingly returned, the Lightning discovered themselves shorthanded as a result of Kucherov additionally picked a roughing minor.

Because they had been going to return out of the scrum having to kill a penalty, Keefe felt the Lightning took benefit of the state of affairs by getting Matthews and O’Reilly to occupy the customer’s penalty field.

“It’s a classic example of a veteran championship team like Tampa Bay manipulating the officials and taking advantage of a situation,” he stated. “They know we’re mainly already happening the powerplay due to the Kucherov (minor), so it’s a free for all. They can do no matter they need they usually know due to the best way video games get referred to as, they don’t seem to be going to get one other penalty.

“Credit to Tampa for recognizing that situation,” continued Keefe, whose workforce obtained the game-winning objective from Rielly with 45 seconds left in extra time. “It’s a free pass and you can do what you want. Not only do they get out of it unscathed, but they take Matthews and O’Reilly with them to the box. Brilliant play by the Lightning in that situation.”