Saturday, 14 May 2022. 11:57
The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to make no changes to their lineups tonight in Game 7 of their first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Here’s the Leafs’ roster in morning practice:
Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Kerfoot
Nylander-Kampf-Engvall
Break-Blackwell-Kase
Rielly-Lyubushkin
Muzzin-Brodie
Giordano-Holl
Campbell
Kallgren
The Maple Leafs’ struggles in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs are well known, with their last playoff victory dating back to 2004, when the team was coached by Pat Quinn.
Forward Mitch Marner told reporters Saturday he had no recollection of the Leafs’ last series win, but he stressed the importance of closure.
” It was a long time ago. It’s a new era. We are excited, ”he nuanced.
The Leafs have lost six consecutive series, including losing three in a row against the Montreal Canadiens in 2021. Asked about Toronto’s struggles in the previous 7 games, forward William Nylander said the team needs to address that of tonight with confidence.
“I think we came out a bit flat in those games, maybe a bit scared to lose. We don’t need to be afraid of losing [ce soir] “said the Swedish striker.
A philosophy shared by his head coach Sheldon Keefe.
“Confidence grew throughout the series. Players will be relaxed and play with energy. We will give ourselves every chance to win the match. »
The Lightning, who have won more playoffs than any other team in the past two seasons, aren’t lacking in confidence heading into this game-changing game either.
“This is where we make a name for ourselves. If you show up in Game 7, you’ll be remembered,” Lightning forward Corey Perry said.
The winner of that game will face the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals starting next week.