Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: The 5 Most Important Games of March

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate with Zach Hyman #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs after he scored a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period at BB&T Center on February 27, 2020 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate with Zach Hyman #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs after he scored a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period at BB&T Center on February 27, 2020 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the Tampa Bay Lightning fight for the puck during a game at Amalie Arena on February 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 25: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the Tampa Bay Lightning fight for the puck during a game at Amalie Arena on February 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

#1: Mar. 10 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

The last time the Leafs faced the Lightning was on Tuesday, which the Toronto Maple Leafs won pretty convincingly by a score of 4-2.

A lot has changed in the span of a week.

The Lightning went from being arguably the hottest team in the league to going 1-4-0 in their last five games. They’ve clearly slowed down, and that could continue to happen. After all, their captain, Steven Stamkos, will be out 6-8 weeks after undergoing a core muscle surgery for an injury he sustained on Tuesday against the Leafs.

The Lightning also have a tough schedule coming up, with two upcoming stints against the division-leading Boston Bruins. If they fall to the Bruins either once or twice, they might not be as hot against the Leafs. This is surely a winnable game for Toronto.

But this game is also for-sure watch because of the fact that the Lightning will likely be the Leafs first-round matchup in the playoffs. It will be a preview in a way because the Leafs will have to prove that they can beat them at least twice in a row, let alone a seven game series.

Home/Editorials