Opinion | Seven Musings: Rough stuff gives Leafs fits in Game 2 against Lightning


The Maple Leafs say they want to play a tough game, that they can be rough, that they can hit like the best of them.

That’s playoff hockey, after all.

But they look like they don’t quite know how to go about it. They seem outside their comfort zone when the going gets tough. There’s a line between being aggressive and going too far, and the Leafs haven’t walked it well.

That’s why Kyle Clifford got ejected from Game 1 and suspended for Game 2 for a boarding call. And why Wayne Simmonds — who promised to play between the whistles — got called for two penalties that occurred after the whistle, with Tampa scoring on both power plays.

The refs are keeping a close eye on the two teams. That much is clear.

The Leafs have taken 76 minutes in penalties in two games, leading the playoffs. They weren’t saints in the regular season, but they only took 702 PIMs over the 82 games. That was middle of the pack.

Tampa was highly penalized in the regular season, second in the league at 901 PIMs, but is only at 59 PIMs after two games. Perhaps their vast playoff experience is helping them read the refs sooner.

The first two games have been special teams affairs. The Leafs were better in Game 1, the Lightning in Game 2. The team that figures out the refs in Game 3 is probably going to have the edge.

When the series began, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe’s main message seemed to be making sure the refs would call the rough stuff.

Now with the Leafs being the most penalized team in the post-season, he sounded like he hoped the refs would put the whistles away, talking up five-on-five play as the source of hope.

Tampa's Brandon Hagel rides Colin Blackwell of the Leafs into the boards in Wednesday's Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at Scotiabank Arena.

“If you look at a lot of elements of our game (you see) how close the game was at five-on-five,” said Keefe. “Now you’ve got the belief that you can turn that. There’s not a lot separating teams. You’ve got to be sharp. You’ve got to be disciplined. You’ve got to be committed to shift to shift.

“We’ve got a really good taste here now through two hockey games of what we’re in for in terms of the series. You knew it was going to be tough. We’ll go out on the road and get a win.”

To the Seven Musings. As always if you have a question, email me at [email protected] and I’ll answer it in the next Mailbag.

one. If there is one thing the Leafs can take pride in, it’s that they have scored eight goals in two games against Andrei Vasilevskiy. They seem to have the recipe.

two. Jason Spezza’s name trended on Twitter as soon as the Leafs lost Game 2. No surprise. He’s a popular player. It may be his turn, sure. But the physicality of the series suggests Clifford will be in, Simmonds out for Game 3. Just a guess.

3. John Tavares had a rough night on social media. He’s an easy target, not scoring and getting paid all that. But I have some sympathy, considering he doesn’t kill penalties and with the Leafs short-handed so much, it’s hard for those guys to get their rhythm.

Four. That said, the Leafs need more out of Tavares. He needs to be a game-changer; I have not been.

5. What does Tavares say: “It’s on myself, or whoever doesn’t play too many PK minutes, to stay ready and be involved and make sure you’re ready to go.”

6. The Leafs home crowd has been tremendous. Curious to see what kind of crowd shows up in Tampa. Leaf Nation travels well.

7. During the last Leafs-Lightning game, I walked through the tailgate party outside and listened to the host of the event saying how much she loved seeing all that blue and white. There was no sense of irony in her voice. The place was packed with Leafs fans. Hey, blue and white.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Conversations are opinions of our readers and are subject to the Code of Conduct. The Star does not endorse these opinions.



Leave a Comment