The NBA Playoffs have always been a war of attrition. Injuries are inevitable when great teams play intense games. The human body can only handle so much. But this Warriors-Grizzles second-round series has the makings of something even more punishing. If you have been clamoring for the days of the low-skill, all-guts NBA of the…
2022 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING Monday, May 2, 7:30 pm, Toronto vs. Tampa Bay Wednesday, May 4, 7:30 pm, Toronto vs. Tampa Bay Friday, May 6, 7:30 pm, Toronto at Tampa Bay Sunday, May 8, 7:00 pm, Toronto at Tampa Bay Tuesday, May 10, Toronto vs. Tampa Bay (TBD) Thursday, May 12, Toronto at Tampa Bay (TBD)* Saturday, May 14, Toronto vs. Tampa Bay (TBD)* *If Necessary INJURY REPORT Petr Mrazek (Groin) Rasmus Sandin (Knee) THE SERIES SERIES RECORD vs. TAMPA BAY: 1-1 ALL-TIME POSTSEASON RECORD vs. TAMPA BAY: 1-1 ALL-TIME REGULAR SEASON RECORD vs. TAMPA BAY: 58-37-2-7 (HOME: 30-19-1-3/ROAD: 28-18-1-4) LAST GAME 2021-22 REGULAR SEASON SERIES RESULTS: The Maple Leafs went 2-2-0 in four games against Tampa Bay during the 2021-22 season. Toronto was 1-1-0 in two games played on home ice and held a 1-1-0 record in two games in Tampa Bay. LEADING SCORERS Toronto: Matthews (3-4-7), Marner (1-4-5), Tavares (1-2-3) Tampa Bay: Stamkos (2-7-9), Palat (3-3-6), Killorn (2-3-5) GOALTENDERS Toronto: Campbell (2-1-0; 2.33 GAA; .918 SV%), Kallgren (0-1-0; 8.02 GAA, 778 SV%) Tampa Bay: Vasilevskiy (2-1-1; 2.97 GAA; 919 SV%) Toronto Maple Leafs: Media Notes Score: Toronto 3 vs. Tampa Bay 5 Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 TOR Goals: Bunting, Marner, Kerfoot TBL Goals: Hedman, Perry, Kucherov, Hagel, Point TOR Goaltender: Campbell, 29/34, .853 SV% TBL Goaltender: Vasilevskiy, 31/34, .912 SV% TOR Power Play: 0-for-4 TOR Penalty Kill: 4-for-7 Team Notes:
Michael Bunting appeared in his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut during Wednesday’s game and went on to score his first career playoff goal. Per NHL Stats, Bunting became the fourth Maple Leafs rookie in the past 30 years to score in their playoff debut, joining Mitchell Marner (Game 1 of 2017 R1), Adam Mair (Game 3 of 1999 CSF) and Mark Kolesar (Game 3 of 1996 CQF).
Mitch Marner scored during the third period of Wednesday’s game. Marner also scored in Game One against Tampa Bay, marking the first occasion of his Stanley Cup Playoffs career where he has scored in backto-back games.
Alexander Kerfoot scored Toronto’s third goal of the game shorthanded. The Maple Leafs recorded their second shorthanded goal of the postseason, currently leading all NHL playoff teams. MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: Games Played: Jason Spezza (51) Goals: Jason Spezza (23) Assists: Jason Spezza (34) Points: Jason Spezza (57) Penalty Minutes: Wayne Simmonds (92) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING CAREER LEADERS vs. MAPLE LEAFS: Games Played: Steven Stamkos (45) Goals: Steven Stamkos (22) Assists: Steven Stamkos (36) Points: Steven Stamkos (58) Penalty Minutes: Pat Maroon (38) TORONTO ACTIVE PLAYOFF GAME LEADERS 1) Jason Spezza – 92 GP 2) Jake Muzzin – 67 GP 3) Kyle Clifford – 65 GP TORONTO ACTIVE PLAYOFF GOAL LEADERS 1) Jason Spezza – 28 (92 GP) t-2) John Tavares – 15 (39 GP) t-2) Auston Matthews – 15 (34 GP) TORONTO ACTIVE PLAYOFF ASSIST LEADERS 1) Jason Spezza – 47 (92 GP) 2) Mitch Marner – 23 (34 GP) t-3) Morgan Rielly – 17 (33 GP) t-3) Jake Muzzin – 17 (67 GP) TORONTO ACTIVE PLAYOFF POINTS LEADERS 1) Jason Spezza – 75 (92 GP) 2) John Tavares – 31 (39 GP) 3) Mitch Marner – 30 (34 GP) MAPLE LEAFS POSTSEASON HISTORY
The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs mark the Maple Leafs’ 71st appearance in the postseason.
The Maple Leafs are playing in their 114th Stanley Cup Playoffs series.
Toronto has a record of 262-289-4 in 555 postseason games for the franchise. TORONTO ALL-TIME PLAYOFF GOAL LEADERS 1) Wendel Clark – 34 (79 GP) t-2) Mats Sundin – 32 (77 GP) t-2) Dave Keon – 32 (89 GP) 4) Ted Kennedy – 29 (78 GP) t-5) Steve Thomas – 26 (63 GP) t-5) George Armstrong – 26 (110 GP) TORONTO ALL-TIME PLAYOFF ASSIST LEADERS 1) Doug Gilmour – 60 (52 GP) 2) Darryl Sittler – 40 (64 GP) t-3) Red Kelly – 38 (70 GP) t-3) Mats Sundin – 38 (77 GP) 5) Borje Salming – 37 (81 GP) TORONTO ALL-TIME PLAYOFF SCORING LEADERS 1) Doug Gilmour – 77 (52 GP) 2) Mats Sundin – 70 (77 GP) 3) Dave Keon – 67 (89 GP) 4) Darryl Sittler – 65 (64 GP) 5) Wendel Clark – 61 (79 GP) HOW THE MAPLE LEAFS WERE BUILT PRONUNCIATION GUIDE THE MAN ADVANTAGE, 2021-22 REGULAR SEASON Draft (7) Free Agent (11) Trade (8) 2018 – Sandin (29th overall) 2021 – Kaše (July 31) 2022 – Blackwell (Mar. 20) 2017 – Liljegren (17th overall) 2021 – Mrazek (July 28) 2022 – Giordano (Mar. 20) 2016 – Matthews (1st overall) 2021 – Bunting (July 28) 2022 – Lyubushkin (Feb. 19) 2015 – Marner (4th overall) 2021 – Kämpf (July 28) 2021 – Clifford (Nov. 16) 2014 – Engvall (188th overall) 2021 – Källgren (May 19) 2020 – Anderson (Oct. 10) 2014 – Nylander (8th overall) 2020 – Brodie (Oct. 9) 2020 – Campbell (Feb. 5) 2012 – Rielly (5th overall) 2020 – Simmonds (Oct. 9) 2019 – Kerfoot (July 1) 2019 – Spezza (July 1) 2019 – Muzzin (Jan. 28) 2019 – Mikheyev (May 6) 2018 – Tavares (July 1) 2016 – Holl (July 2) NAME PRONUNCIATION NAME PRONUNCIATION Joey Anderson JOH-ee AN-duhr-suhn Timothy Liljegren TIH-moh-thee LIHL-yeh-grehn Colin Blackwell KAW-lihn BLAK-wehll Ilya Lyubushkin IHL-yah loo-BUHSH-kihn TJ Brodie TEE-JAY BROH-dee Mitch Marner MIHTCH MAHR-nuhr Michael Bunting MIGH-kuhl BUHN-tihng Auston Matthews AW-stuhn MA-thewz Jack Campbell JAK KAM-buhl Ilya Mikheyev ihl-YAH mihk-HAY-ehv Kyle Clifford KIGHL KLIHF-fuhrd Petr Mrazek PEE-tuhr M’RAZ-ihk Pierre Engvall pee-AIHR EHNG-vuhl Jake Muzzin JAYK MUH-zihn Mark Giordano MAHRK jee-ohr-DAN-oh William Nylander WIHL-yuhm NEE-lan-duhr Justin Holl JUHS-tihn HOHL Morgan Rielly MOHR-guhn RIGH-lee Erik Källgren AIR-ihk SHAHL-grehn Rasmus Sandin RAZ-muhs san-DEEN David Kämpf DAY-vihd KAMPF Wayne Simmonds WAYN SIH-muhnds Ondrej Kaše AWN-dray KAH-sheh Jason Spezza JAY-suhn SPEHT-zuh Alexander Kerfoot al-ehx-AN-duhr KUHR-fuht John Tavares JAWN tah-VAHR-ehs Power Play: 63/231 (27.3%) Power Play Goal Leader: 16 – Matthews Power Play Point Leader: 31 – Nylander (13G, 18A) 2020-21 Power Play: 31/155 (20.0%) ON THE PK, 2021-22 REGULAR SEASON 2021-22 REGULAR SEASON LEADERS 2021-22 REGULAR SEASON GAME HIGHS Penalty Kill: 192/234 (82.1%) Shorthanded Goal Leader: 4 – Mikheyev Shorthanded Point Leader: 4 – Mikheyev (4G), Kämpf (2G, 2A), Marner (3G, 1A) 2020-21 Penalty Kill: 113/144 (78.5%) CATEGORY LEADER CATEGORY LEADER GOALS 60 – Matthews HITS 148 – Simmonds ASSISTS 62 – Marner BLOCKED SHOTS 106 – Brodie POINTS 106 – Matthews (60G, 46A) TAKEAWAYS 92 – Matthews POWER PLAY POINTS 31 – Nylander (13G, 18A) TOI PER GAME 23:44 – Rielly SHORTHANDED POINTS 4 – Kämpf (2G, 2A), Mikheyev (4G), Marner (3G, 1A) PP TOI PER GAME 3:06 – Marner, Matthews PIMs 96 – Simmonds SH TOI PER GAME 2:36 – Muzzin SHOTS 348 – Matthews WINS 31 – Campbell FACEOFF% 60.6% – Tavares GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE 2.64 – Campbell 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % 59.71% – Matthews SAVE PERCENTAGE .914 – Campbell CATEGORY HOME ROAD Most Goals, Game 3 – Matthews, Dec. 1 vs. COL, Jan. 31 vs. NJD, March 8 vs. SEA 4 – Marner, Feb. 26 at DET Most Assists, Game 4 – Rielly, Dec. 7 vs. CBJ 4 – Bunting, Feb. 26 at DET Most Points, Game 4 – Marner, Nov. 6 vs. BOS, (1G, 3A) – Rielly, Dec. 7 vs. CBJ (4A) – Matthews, Jan. 31 vs. NJD (3G, 1A) 6 – Marner, Feb. 26 at DET (4G, 2A) Most Shots, Game 8 – Matthews, Oct. 18 vs. NYR, Nov. 12 vs. CGY, Dec. 1 vs. COL, March 5 vs. VAN – Mikheyev, March 15 vs. DAL 12 – Matthews, April 7 at DAL Time on Ice, Game 27:58 – Rielly, Jan. 26 vs. ANA 27:41 – Rielly, Jan. 15 at STL Most Saves, Game 45 – Campbell, Feb. 18 vs. PIT 44 – Campbell, Jan. 8 at COL CATEGORY GAME PERIOD Most Goals, For 10 – Feb. 26 at DET 5 – 3rd, Jan. 29 at DET Most Goals, Against 8 – Apr. 21 at TBL 5 – 3rd, Feb. 26 at DET Most Shots, For 53 – Feb. 12 at VAN 25 – 3rd, Oct. 14 at OTT Most Shots, Against 49 – Jan. 8 at COL, April 5 at FLA 23 – 3rd, Nov. 6 vs. BOS Fewest Shots, For 18 – Jan. 11 at VGK 2 – 3rd, Jan. 11 at VGK Fewest Shots, Against 18 – Jan. 12 at ARI, Mar. 26 at MTL, April 7 at DAL 2 – 2nd, Oct. 18 vs. NYR – 3rd, Jan. 31 vs. NJD
LIGHTNING BOLTS
LAST GAME Lightning 5 at Toronto 3 Tampa Bay bounced back with a 5-3 victory over Toronto in Game 2 of the teams’ best-of-seven First Round series in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs to level the series at a game apiece…The Lightning have won their last eight Game 2s and are 23-10 all-time in Game 2s, including a 10-3 mark in road Game 2s…Tampa Bay improved to 16-0 in games following a loss over the last three postseasons, a streak that started with a win in an opening round robin game in the 2020 Playoffs and is the longest-such streak in NHL playoff history…Victor Hedman notched a career-high four points (goal, 3 assists) and Nikita Kucherov chipped in three points (goal, 2 assists) to lead the Lightning charge…Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 31-of-34 shots to pick up his 50th career playoff win…Tampa Bay never trailed in the win…Brandon Hagel netted what would prove to be the gamewinning goal at 1:33 of the third period for his first career playoff goal, which gave the Bolts a 4-1 lead at the time…Pat Maroon skated in his 50th career playoff game with Tampa Bay. PP: TBL – 3-7 TOR – 0-4 SOG: TBL – 34 TOR – 34 Attendance: 19,135 TONIGHT’S MATCHUP The Lightning and the Maple Leafs are playing Game 3 of their best-of-seven First Round series in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs…The Bolts and Leafs are meeting for the first time in the postseason in Tampa…Tampa Bay is 19-13 all-time in Game 3s, including a 6-6 mark in home Game 3s…The Lightning are 11-9 in Game 3s under head coach Jon Cooper, including a 2-3 mark at home…Steven Stamkos is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader for scoring against Toronto (reg. season and playoffs), notching 22-37–59 pts. in 45 games. TONIGHT’S STORYLINES The First Round series between the Lightning and Maple Leafs is tied one game apiece and shifts to Tampa’s AMALIE Arena for the first time in the series…Tampa Bay is 6-7 in playoff home openers (includes 2020 Playoffs home opener in Toronto bubble at Scotiabank Arena)…The Lightning are playing their first playoff game at AMALIE Arena since a Cup-clinching Game 5 vs. Montreal in the Stanley Cup Final July 7, 2021, a 1-0 victory where then-rookie Ross Colton scored the only goal of the game (2nd – 13:27)…The Bolts are 12-6 all-time in playoff series when splitting the opening two games of the series (2-5 when starting the series on the road). INJURIES 2021-22 Reg. Season Man Games Lost: 185 2022 Playoffs Man Games Lost: 0 Current injuries None TRANSACTIONS Apr. 30 – Recalled F Riley Nash from AHL Syracuse Apr. 15 – Re-signed G Brian Elliott to a one-year contract through the 2022-23 season HED OF THE CLASS Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman scored a goal and added three assists Game 2 at TOR to set a career high and a record for a Lightning defenseman for scoring in a playoff contest and match his career high for assists in the postseason (also: 0-3–3 pts. Game 1 2021 1st Rd. at FLA and 0- 3–3 pts. Game 3 2021 1st Rd. vs. FLA)…Hedman became the sixth different player in franchise history to register four or more points in a playoff contest, joining Nikita Kucherov (3x), Brayden Point (2x), Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn and Vincent Lecavalier…Hedman scored his 20th career playoff goal with three seconds left in the first period on a power play for Tampa Bay’s first goal of the series, the Swedish defenseman becoming the ninth Lightning player all-time to reach 20 goals in the postseason and the third active defenseman to notch at least 20 career postseason goals, joining Kris Letang (22) and Brent Burns (20)…Hedman owns the most postseason points among active NHL defensemen. NHL ALL-TIME ACTIVE DEFENSEMAN PLAYOFF SCORING LEADERS
Victor Hedman (TBL) – 20-72–92 pts. (134 GP) T-2. Kris Letang (PIT) – 22-65–87 pts. (144 GP) T-2. Duncan Keith (EDM) – 18-69–87 pts. (137 GP) Hedman became the 19th defenseman in NHL history to reach the 90-point mark for his postseason career and pulled into a tie for 16th place among the NHL’s all-time defenseman playoff scoring leaders. Tampa Bay Lightning: Media Notes NHL ALL-TIME DEFENSEMAN PLAYOFF SCORING LEADERS
Brian Leetch – 28-69–97 pts. (95 GP) T-16. Bobby Orr – 26-66–92 pts. (74 GP) T-16. Victor Hedman – 20-72–92 pts. (134 GP) T-16. Red Kelly – 33-59–92 pts. (164 GP) T-19. Sandis Ozolinsh – 23-67–90 pts. (137 GP) T-19. Sergei Gonchar – 22-68–90 pts. (141 GP) ANDREI THE GIANT Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 31-of-34 shots Game 2 at TOR to collect his 50th career playoff win and become the 22nd NHL goalie all-time to win at least 50 playoff games and just the third active NHL goalie, joining Marc-Andre Fleury (91) and Braden Holtby (50)…Playing his 83rd career postseason game, Vasilevskiy required the seventh-fewest games to 50 wins all-time in the NHL, behind only Jacques Plante (69 GP), Ken Dryden (73 GP), Billy Smith (74 GP), Gerry Cheevers (80 GP), Patrick Roy (82 GP) and Turk Broda (82 GP)…Vasilevskiy improved to 15-0 (1.31 GAA and .948 save percentage) in games following a postseason loss since 2020. IN THE NIK OF TIME Bolts forward Nikita Kucherov scored a power-play goal and added two assists Game 2 at TOR for his 18th career playoff game with three or more points…Kucherov has posted multiple points in seven of his last 10 games going back to the regular season and has registered at least one point in nine of the last 10 contests…Kucherov is Tampa Bay’s franchise leader for playoff goals (45), assists (85), points (130), power-play scoring (55 PP pts.) and plus/minus (+28)…Since Kucherov entered the NHL in 2013-14, he leads all NHL players for postseason scoring by a wide margin. NHL PLAYOFF SCORING LEADERS SINCE 2013-14
Nikita Kucherov (TBL) – 45-85–130 pts. (115 GP)
Sidney Crosby (PIT) – 30-60–90 pts. (94 GP)
Victor Hedman (TBL) – 20-66–86 pts. (116 GP) SCOREY PERRY Tampa Bay forward Corey Perry scored a goal Game 2 at TOR for his first playoff goal as a member of the Lightning and his 46th career playoff goals…Perry ranks eighth among active NHL players for playoff goals. NHL ACTIVE PLAYOFF GOAL LEADERS T-6. Logan Couture (SJS) – 48 goals (116 GP) T-6. Patrice Bergeron (BOS) – 48 goals (162 GP)
Corey Perry (TBL) – 46 goals (169 GP) T-9. Nikita Kucherov (TBL) – 45 goals (115 GP) T-9. Brad Marchand (BOS) – 45 goals (134 GP) T-9. Jonathan Toews (CHI) – 45 goals (137 GP) Perry registered his 109th career playoff point and ranks 12th among active NHL players for postseason scoring. NHL ACTIVE PLAYOFF SCORING LEADERS
Jonathan Toews (CHI) – 119 pts. (137 GP)
Nicklas Backstrom (WSH) – 110 pts. (135 GP)
Corey Perry (TBL) – 109 pts. (169 GP)
Brad Marchand (BOS) – 108 pts. (134 GP) STAMMER TIME Lightning captain Steven Stamkos tallied a power-play assist Game 2 at TOR for his first point of these playoffs and his 73rd career playoff point…Stamkos pulled into a tie with Ondrej Palat for fourth place among Tampa Bay’s all-time playoff scoring leaders. TBL ALL-TIME PLAYOFF SCORING LEADERS
Nikita Kucherov – 45-85–130 pts. (115 GP)
Victor Hedman – 20-72–92 pts. (134 GP)
Brayden Point – 37-37–74 pts. (69 GP) T-4. Steven Stamkos – 32-41–73 pts. (96 GP) T-4. Ondrej Palat – 37-36–73 pts. (117 GP) • PUTTING UP PALAT OF POINTS Bolts forward Ondrej Palat skated in his 117th career playoff contest in Game 2 at TOR to move into sole possession of second place among Tampa Bay’s all-time playoff games played leaders and is one of five Lightning players with over 100 games of playoff experience with the franchise. TBL ALL-TIME PLAYOFF GAMES PLAYED LEADERS
Victor Hedman – 134 GP
Ondrej Palat – 117 GP
Tyler Johnson – 116 GP
Nikita Kucherov – 115 GP
Alex Killorn – 113 GP POINTING THE WAY Tampa Bay forward Brayden Point scored a power-play goal Game 2 at TOR for his first point of these playoffs and his 37th career playoff goal, pulling into a tie with Ondrej Palat for second place among the Bolts’ all-time playoff goal leaders. TBL ALL-TIME PLAYOFF GOAL LEADERS
Alex Killorn – 34 goals (113 GP) Point led the NHL playoffs for goals in 2020 and 2021, netting 14 goals in each postseason…Point is the eighth different player in NHL history to lead the playoffs for goals in consecutive seasons, joining Jari Kurri (1987-88 and 1984-85), Mike Bossy (1981-83), Phil Esposito (1969-70), Bobby Hull (1962- 63), Maurice Richard (1946-47), Gordie Drillon (1938-39) and Howie Morenz (1924-25)…Point is aiming to become just the second player in NHL history to lead the playoffs for goals in three-consecutive seasons and join Mike Bossy (1981-83). MAC TRUCK Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh blocked two shots Game 2 at TOR and has seven blocked shots total for the 2022 Playoffs, ranking tied for second among all skaters…McDonagh now has 368 blocked shots for his playoff career, ranking second all-time in the NHL. NHL PLAYOFF ALL-TIME BLOCKED SHOTS LEADERS
Dan Girardi – 383 blocked shots (143 GP)
Ryan McDonagh – 368 blocked shots (164 GP)
Brooks Orpik – 349 blocked shots (156 GP) GOING IN FOR THE KILL Bolts forward Alex Killorn tallied an assist Game 2 at TOR for his first point of these playoffs and his 69th career playoff point, pulling ahead of Martin St. Louis and into sixth place among Tampa Bay’s all-time playoff scoring leaders. TBL ALL-TIME PLAYOFF SCORING LEADERS
Ondrej Palat – 37-36–73 pts. (117 GP)
Alex Killorn – 34-35–69 pts. (113 GP)
Martin St. Louis – 33-35–68 pts. (63 GP)
Tyler Johnson – 32-33–65 pts. (116 GP) MILESTONES Ondrej Palat (9 career playoff GWGs) can pass Tyler Johnson and take sole possession of first place among TBL’s all-time playoff game-winning goal leaders with his next game-winning goal NOTEWORTHY AMALIE Arena has sold out 275-consecutive games (includes playoffs), the NHL’s longest active sellout streak beginning 3/26/15 (2020-21 season excluded due to social distancing protocols
SAN FRANCISCO — Gary Payton II and Andre Iguodala will miss significant time in these playoffs with injuries. Payton, 29, will miss the remainder of the second-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies with a fractured left elbow, the Warriors saying he will be re-evaluated in two weeks. 270 more words
SAN FRANCISCO — The NBA on Thursday suspended the Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks one game for his hard foul on Gary Payton II during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals that left the Warriors guard with a fractured left elbow. 741 more words
Marcus Smart says there’s a “strong likelihood” that he returns from a one-game absence to play Saturday in Game 3 in Milwaukee, but even if he doesn’t, he knows how the Celtics should begin their afternoon in a hostile environment. 820 more words