Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Who's Better?

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Who’s Better?

Apr 21, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91), left wing Michael Bunting (58), Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) and teammates fight during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 12, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) pursues the play against the Buffalo Sabres in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Group

Toronto Maple Leafs:

Morgan Rielly
Jake Muzzin
T.J. Brodie
Mark Giordano
Ilya Lybushkin
Timothy Liljegren
Justin Holl
Rasmus Sandin

Tampa Bay Lightning:

Victor Hedman
Erik Cernak
Ryan McDonagh
Cal Foote
Mikhail Sergachev
Zach Bogosian
Jan Rutta

Advantage: Tampa Bay Lightning

Hedman is the reason why the Lightning get the advantage here. He’s arguably a top-three defenseman in the world and he’s shown over the past two years that he can dominate a playoff series.

It’s not like it’s a huge advantage, but Tampa’s size on the blue-line will be Toronto’s biggest kryptonite, but if their speed can get through their physicality, the Leafs still have a chance to score a lot of goals.

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