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5 Thoughts from the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 Loss to Lightning

By Jeremiah Lee

May 2, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Referee Dan O'Rourke (9) tries to separate players from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay LIghtning as they engage in a brawl in the third period of game one of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Referee Dan O'Rourke (9) tries to separate players from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay LIghtning as they engage in a brawl in the third period of game one of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 4, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34 . Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34 . Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Toronto Maple Leafs played a great game at even strength, and even had some moments on the penalty kill. However, mistakes were their downfall last night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had an opportunity to leave Toronto with a 2-0 lead in the series, and every game they could get with home ice advantage will prove to be crucial.

However, the Leafs were undisciplined and made too many costly mistakes. Jack Campbell played well despite allowing five goals, and did as much as a goaltender can in that situation. There were no goals in this game that I felt could have been denied, and that’s thanks to Campbell’s poise in net as the game went downhill.

The Leafs lost, but it’s not like they played a terrible game.  Here are my five thoughts.

1. Undisciplined Play and Controversial Penalties

This is a given as the Toronto Maple Leafs allowed 3 goals on 7 powerplay attempts by the Lightning. On top of this, they didn’t make the Lightning pay when they had their chances on the special teams. This game did seem a bit… Tame compared to game 1 but the Lightning seemed to have found ways to draw calls to themselves in a 50-50 situation.

For example, Wayne Simmonds did deserve a minor for cross checking when he sent Corey Perry into Campbell. That is a cross check in every definition. However, his “roughing” call on Pierre-Edward Bellemare was not a good call. It is an emotional game and the refs were trying way too hard to be the stars of the show.  Simmonds flipped Bellemare onto his back with his stick as he cleared the crease, as any good teammate would try to do. His reward? A two minute minor and a PP goal against by Nikita Kucherov.

Alex Kerfoot’s holding penalty on Brandon Hagel was warranted, (which also resulted in a PP goal against) but they didn’t call a trip on Mitch Marner, nor did they call any other obvious penalty on the Lightning in a lopsided game.

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