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Toronto Maple Leafs Are Serving Soup to the Needy Canadiens

By Jeremy Ridgewell

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 28: Goaltender Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs goes through his pre-period ritual prior to the start of the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on April 28, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 28: Goaltender Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs goes through his pre-period ritual prior to the start of the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on April 28, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have a 3-1 series lead against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2021 NHL playoffs.

Making it to the second round is something that the Toronto Maple Leafs have failed to do since 2004. Mats Sundin was the Captain, Pat Quinn was the head coach, and John Ferguson Jr was the general manager.

Toronto has been feeling the pressure to make it past the first round for a while now. After a few failed attempts with the current core of players, the Leafs GM Kyle Dubas went out and surrounded his core with grit, experience, and depth.

So far, things are looking good. but the team still has to win one more game to advance to the second round and send Montreal packing.

Toronto Maple Leafs Serving Montreal Some Soup

Some would say that Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin is under a lot of pressure too. He went into this shortened season needing the Canadiens to do well. They started the season strong, but then the team missed some time due to Covid-19 protocols. The team also sustained injuries to some key players such as Brendan Gallagher, Shea Weber, and Carey Price.

Near the end of the regular season, it looked like Montreal might not even make the playoffs. Luckily for them, they were able to pick up enough points to stay ahead of the Calgary Flames and finished fourth in the north division.

With that being said, the Toronto Maple Leafs have decided to give the Canadiens a healthy serving of soup in the form of Jack “Soupy” Campbell. Campbell has been playing incredibly well for Toronto and is the main reason why the Leafs lead the series 3-1.

During these playoffs, Campbell is currently tied for first in goal against average  (1.01 GAA) and Shutouts (1), while sitting in second for save percentage (.965 SV%). He has only allowed four goals on 118 shots by Montreal through four games. Not bad for a goaltender playing in his very first playoff series.

Toronto Maple Leafs Serving More Than Just Soup

Toronto has outscored Montreal 12-4 through four games. Twice in this series the Maple Leafs have scored four or more goals and leading the way is William Nylander with four goals. That’s right, Nylander has the same amount of goals as the entire Canadiens lineup.

The thing that has benefitted the Maple Leafs is their secondary scoring. Toronto has gotten goals from Jason Spezza (2), Alex Kerfoot, Joe Thornton, Alex Galchenyuk, Morgan Rielly, Auston Matthews, and Rasmus Sandin.

So while Montreal has done a good job of keeping their top line of Mitch Marner, Matthews, and Zach Hyman to just one goal, the Toronto Maple Leafs are showcasing their depth.

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Toronto will be looking to end the series on Thursday night in Game 5 and move on to a second-round matchup against the Winnipeg Jets.

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