Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Who Has the Advantage?

May 12, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) is congratulated by right wing Mitchell Marner (16) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of game six of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) is congratulated by right wing Mitchell Marner (16) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of game six of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Toronto Maple Leafs
May 14, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: Goaltending

Toronto Maple Leafs:

  • Ilya Samsonov, Joseph Woll

Tampa Bay Lightning:

  • Andrei Vasilevskiy

Vasilevskiy is a former Conn Smythe Trophy and Vezina Trophy winner and has two Stanley Cup ring’s. Not only that, but he’s played in over 100 playoff games.

It’s crazy, but Vasilevskiy almost has as many playoff starts as Samsonov and Woll have combined regular season experience, so with that being said, there shouldn’t be much of a debate as to who has the advantage, right?

However, let’s do it anyways.

Samsonov finished the season with better stats (2.33 GAA, 0.919 SV%) than Vasilevskiy (.915 SV%, 2.65 GAA) this season. Not only was Samsonov better statistically, but we can’t forget about Woll, who was also better (2.16 GAA and .932 SV%).

Woll only appeared in seven games, so his sample-size is much smaller but is it possible that Toronto actually has the advantage in net? I mean, if Vasilevskiy gets injured, the Lightning have to turn to Brian Elliot, so they’re screwed. However, if Samsonov gets hurt, I feel way more confident in Woll getting the job done, then someone like Elliot.

As much as the Leafs fan in me would love to give Toronto the advantage here, I can’t. Vasilevskiy is arguably the best goaltender on the planet still, so if he plays to his highest capabilities, the Leafs will have a hard time beating the Lightning this year.

Advantage: Tampa Bay Lightning