No. 4, 2022 First Round, Game 5
Number four on the list is a fairly recent game taking place just last year. The Toronto Maple Leafs were taking on their rivals, as well as the two-time defending champs, the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs.
The series was tied at 2-2 and headed back to Toronto for a critical game 5, but like the first game on this list, it did not start as intended.
The Leafs found themselves down 2-0 just over 6 minutes into the game, and after a game 4 loss where the Lightning pummeled the buds 7-3, it was starting to look like the series was flipping in favour of Tampa.
The Leafs got out of the first period still down 2-0, but took numerous penalties in the first and could’ve easily been down by more goals.
With most of the Leafs hope gone, no one would’ve guessed the upcoming 2 periods would be some of the most entertaining Leafs hockey of the entire decade.
John Tavares got Toronto on the board early in the second, giving them some life. Then 3 minutes into the third period, the Leafs found the back of the net twice in less than 1:30 to take a 3-2 lead.
The atmosphere at Scotiabank Arena was absolutely electric, and rightfully so, and even though the Lightning tied the game 3-3 with 11 minutes remaining, the Leafs were far from done.
Just over 6 minutes remained in the game and the next goal would be crucial. With the help of Michael Bunting, Auston Matthews forced a turnover, giving him and Mitch Marner a 2-on-1 chance to take the lead back.
Marner delivered a perfect shot-pass off the pad of Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevski right to the stick of Matthews, and he made no mistake.
The Leafs held on to win the game 4-3 and they took a 3-2 series lead over the Lightning.
Fans of the Leafs are used to their team blowing a lead in big games, not coming back from them.
This game was different. The Leafs showed tons of resilience and determination and it sure paid off, winning them a critical game 5. Even though they lost this series, this game was absolutely terrific and will be remembered for years to come.
Game highlights: (here)