“I don’t think there’s any right answer.” “It’s a tough question,” said Rielly, who scored the winning goal in Game 3. He also said it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what’s different about this season’s team, The visiting team won five of six games, with the Maple Leafs taking Games 3, 4 and 6 in Tampa despite being outplayed for long stretches.ĭefenseman Morgan Rielly said he and teammates were both happy and relieved to finally get over the hump. To get past Tampa Bay, Toronto won three times in overtime on the road and ended the Lightning’s run of three straight appearances in the Stanley Cup Final. The Maple Leafs were 0 for 7 in playoff appearances from 2013 to 2022, including first-round exits each of the past six seasons.

“It’s nice to sit up here and say it is different.” “It’s felt different all season,” coach Sheldon Keefe said. The Bruins and Panthers are tied 3-3 in their first-round series. The victory gave Toronto its first postseason series win since 2004 and sends the Maple Leafs into the Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston or Florida.

Seizing an opportunity to prove they’re no longer a team that falls short at the most important time of the year, the Leafs ended an 11-game losing streak in elimination games and beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in overtime Saturday night. (AP) - The Toronto Maple Leafs are eager to leave nearly two decades of playoff futility behind them.

Ling & ting not exactly the same