Chronicle | The playoffs begin, so do the Maple Leafs’ problems

And that’s exactly what the series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning will offer us. For hockey fans, this confrontation (which begins this Monday evening) promises to be a real treat. A vintage!

After being mystified by the Canadiens in the first round last spring, the Maple Leafs have taken the bull by the horns and are coming off the best season in their history. Nothing less.

The Leafs are betting on the NHL’s leading scorer in Auston Matthews. Mitch Marner and Matthews have just hit their peak. Their power play unit is the most devastating in the league and they have scored more goals than any other team except the Florida Panthers.

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After such a season and with so many assets in hand, the Maple Leafs have no right to lose. Just like they weren’t allowed to lose last year. Just like they weren’t allowed to lose when they’ve been knocked out in the first round five times in a row for the past five years, and the last six times they’ve made the playoffs.

In fact, the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won a series since 2004. And as I explained in this column before the Leafs were knocked down by the CH last year, these are the constant reminders of this tradition loser – and the pressure that comes with it – which always ends up sinking them.

Regarding the Maple Leafs, the topo could not be clearer. Moving on to the second round would be a great release, perhaps even the start of a climb to the Cup. Getting knocked out would trigger another Armageddon between the followers and the team’s management.

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The Tampa Bay Lightning storyline is completely different because their incredible successes of the last few years have plunged them into a difficult fight against mental fatigue and demotivation.

In 2018, after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, the Pittsburgh Penguins fell flat and were swept away by hungrier New York Islanders. For Sid and his gang, there was simply no more energy in the tank.

The Lightning have won their two Pandemic Cups under grueling conditions. In addition, the pandemic has affected the finances of the NHL to the point of causing a salary cap freeze. GM Julien BriseBois was thus forced to let go of a large number of important players (his third full line!) at the end of last season.

But here it is: Tampa Bay is still banking on the best goaltender in the NHL (Andrei Vasilevskyi) and one of the three best defensemen in Victor Hedman. What’s more, Tampa Bay’s offense, led by Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov is still one of the toughest in the NHL.

Add to this the fact that, since 2002, no team from the four major North American professional championships has managed to win three consecutive titles. In the NHL, the Islanders of the early 1980s were the last to achieve this colossal feat.

For the Lightning, in addition to the shame of bowing out against the Leafs, an elimination would mean the end of a unique chance to mark the history of hockey and North American professional sport.

My prediction: Due to all of the above, the Lightning in 6.

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And for the other series:

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins : Although their goaltender Frederik Andersen is a doubt for this series, the Hurricanes are superior in talent and depth. The Hurricanes in 6.

Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals : The Capitals are not equipped defensively to deal with the depth of the Panthers and the best offense of the last 27 years. The Panthers in 5.

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins : the Penguins took a nosedive at the end of the season and their goaltender Tristan Jarry, a pillar, was injured. Rangers have experience, a fiery youth and the most effective goalkeeper of the past two seasons in Igor Shesterkin. Rangers in 5.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators : The Predators’ only chance in this series rested on the shoulders of their excellent goaltender Juuse Saros. However, Saros is injured. The Avalanche in 5.

Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues : Everyone expects an exciting trench warfare between these two teams, who have amassed 113 and 109 points respectively this season. The Wild went 12-2-3 in the past month and the Blues fought back at 12-2-2. I’m going with Minnesota, one of the three teams that have impressed me the most this year. The Wild in 7.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings : The Oilers have been on fire since being led by Jay Woodcroft. The script for this series, however, seems written in advance: Phillip Danault will handcuff Connor McDavid, and Mike Smith, who is 40 years old and easily injured, will have difficulty if the series continues. The Kings in 7.

Calgary Flames vs. Dallas Stars : the Flames, because their defense is exceptional, are true contenders for the Stanley Cup. The Stars do not have enough dynamism in attack to turn the tide. The Flames in 6.