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

By Stephen Nixon

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
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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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 13: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a water break against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Goaltender

Toronto Maple Leafs

  • Jack Campbell

Tampa Bay Lightning

  • Andrei Vasilevskiy

Advantage: Tampa Bay Lightning

Sorry, but if Vasilevskiy plays above-average, the Leafs may lose this series in five games.

When it comes to the playoffs, the biggest thing a team needs is a hot goaltender and for the past two years, nobody has been better than Vasilevskiy.

The 2020-21 Conn Smythe Trophy winner and 2019 Vezina Trophy winner is arguably the best goaltender in the world and he’s the Lightning’s rock. If he plays like he did the past two years, the Lightning have a good chance at not only beating Toronto but winning a third Stanley Cup.

Campbell’s stats have been just as good as Vasilevskiy’s before, but he hasn’t done it as consistently as him, so that’ll be the biggest thing determining whether or not the Leafs can win a series.

Auston Matthews Scores 60th. dark. Next

If Campbell stands on his head, the Leafs have as good of a chance as anyone to win a Stanley Cup this year. However, if he’s just average, his average won’t be good enough against Vasilevskiy.

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