Series set as Ducks win Pacific, will face Flames

And with the Maple Leafs desperate to secure their first postseason spot since 2013 and just their second since 2006, a Kessel goal conjured old uneasiness in the arena to go with the present uncertainty about playoff chances.

“I think we’ve done a good job against them this year”, forward Daniel Winnik said. Let’s not forget that they still have the best shot to clinch out of the remaining team’s looking in. “I know we’re one of the bigger teams in the league and [the Maple Leafs] try and do a lot of damage in the playoffs”. We’re one game ahead of schedule.

You were also going to get an entertaining and extensive breakdown of the two teams.

Jake Gardiner played a game-high of nearly 29 minutes with the blue line shorthanded, the Leafs late comeback effort falling just short.

At 11:50, right winger Nikita Kucherov danced around three Leafs defenders and fired a quick wrister that beat Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen for his 39th goal to give the Lightning a 2-1 lead.

Then Connor Brown notched his 20th goal of the season from the left circle, redirecting a shot by Gardiner, at 17:12 to put the Maple Leafs into the lead.

If we come back hungrier than them for a win, I’m sure we’ll be fine.

The turn of events was most disappointing to those of us who, at 7:45 p.m., started previews for another Battle of Ontario. Or you’re a real good seed. At that point he was in the longest slump of his career, and in the first period he took four shots that missed the net …

The starting assignment for Sunday likely falls to Curtis McElhinney, who filled in Saturday and made key saves. But by second intermission, the game was tied.

“It’s tough”, McElhinney said of Andersen. We are excited to say the least.

However, this is a new team, a better team.

The Leafs had an extra bounce to their step early against Columbus, fresh off the clinching victory over Pittsburgh. From there, the puck went between McElhinney’s legs and into the net. “Now they’ve finished it (with a playoff spot)”. But the key was they were continually getting points, especially against the league’s top teams such as Chicago.

If you were writing a script about turning the page on a new chapter in Leafs history, it’d involve overcoming those obstacles and winning anyway thanks to three third-period goals, all scored by Leafs rookies.

We all know the David vs. Goliath story. He allowed four goals on 29 shots.

The joy and excitement that filled Air Canada Centre on Saturday night quickly gave way to concern. It led to a scoring chance for Leafs rookie Auston Matthews, but Fleury was able to scramble back in enough time to make the save. It was Bozak’s 18th goal of the season. He went immediately to the dressing room, returned for one shift in the second and then exited for good with an upper-body injury. Forwards Nick Bonino, Bryan Rust and Patric Hornqvist got the night off.

Nine of the 16 playoff teams have a different coach than the one they began last season with: the Canadiens (Claude Julien), Senators (Guy Boucher), Penguins (Mike Sullivan), Blue Jackets (John Tortorella), Bruins (Bruce Cassidy), Wild (Bruce Boudreau), Blues (Mike Yeo), Ducks (Randy Carlyle) and Flames (Glen Gulutzan). Derick Brassard and Phaneuf among the veterans rested in the regular season curtain closer, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Chris Kelly and Tom Pyatt were the only Senators to play all 82 games.

Get daily prep sports headlines from the Gwinnett Daily Post staff delivered to your email.

Success! An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup.