To me, it doesn’t matter how we lost last night. We lost, that’s all. Now we have to move on and move on. And so far we have always responded well after a loss
said head coach Sheldon Keefe.
We’re not shaken by last night
he took care to point out during the press briefing.
The Torontonians suffered a 7-3 correction at the hands of a team they themselves had convincingly beaten two days earlier. Moreover, the strangeness of the series – where each team dominates the other in turn without either chaining two good matches – did not escape the players.
It’s strange, that’s for sure. I don’t think we’ve seen any other series like this
acknowledged defenseman Morgan Rielly.
As a group, I think we have still done some good things in recent games. We are not too worried about the result of the last four duels or even the goal difference
he said.
The important thing, he said above all, is that the series is tied after four games and the Maple Leafs will have the advantage of ice
for further things.
The advantage of ice, the reward of a great season
The Maple Leafs finished the regular season with five points ahead of the Lightning overall, which allowed them to start their home streak last week. Toronto being the highest ranked team, it will also be able to count on the support of its fans in games 5 and 7 since it will host Tampa.
But the advantage of ice cream
does not only translate into the location of the matches. Strategically, the home team is also entitled to the last change, i.e. it can send its players into the fray last and therefore adjust to the squads deployed by its opponents while they can’t react.
In the playoffs, where confrontations between trios are very important, this can have a great impact on the course of a match.
We now find ourselves in a best-of-three series where we will play two games at home. It can be to our advantage, but we must take advantage of it
Rielly said.
Home ice alone won’t be enough for the Maple Leafs to topple Tampa Bay. The proof: the Lightning dominated the second game of the series which took place in Toronto. Conversely, the Maple Leafs also triumphed in Game 3 in Tampa.
In the end, the team that wants the most will end up winning this series.
wisely said striker William Nylander.
His coach, aware of the benefits of playing at home, however, also wanted to diminish the importance of the thing given the opponent of the Leafs and what he has done so far.
The advantage of ice is important. Yes, it will help us in many ways, on small details, but the depth they have in defense and in attack will soften the impact. Their 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines gave them very good minutes [de jeu] so far and they have given us trouble on several occasions in the series.
” We get to a point in the series where each team knows what to expect from the other. It’s just a matter of execution. »
Star forward Auston Matthews should be able to enjoy a little more quality playing time in Toronto due to last game advantage, he who was held in Tampa by the Lightning trio formed by Alex Killorn, Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli.
But he didn’t want to go too far on the issue either, preferring to let his game speak for itself over the next few matches.
I think we should be confident, feel good at home here, with a great opportunity ahead of us.
he said.
Matthews and linemates Mitch Marner and Michael Bunting were all limited to just one point apiece in Games 3 and 4 in Florida. Matthews and Marner got five each in the first two games in Toronto. They could prove to be very explosive on Tuesday evening.
Game 5 of the series between the Maple Leafs and the Lightning will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Scotiabank Arena.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca