The Maple Leafs still eliminated in the first round of the playoffs

Toronto thus saw its streak without reaching the second round of the playoffs extend to 18 years. In the genre, it is one of the five longest streaks in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL), all periods combined.

The Maple Leafs also became the first team among the major North American professional leagues (NHL, MLB and NBA) to lose five years in a row in a final game in the first round of the playoffs.

We’re tired of feeling like thisdropped striker Mitch Marner after the game.

It’s very disappointing. It is very frustrating. […] We are almost there… said teammate Auston Matthews, visibly disappointed.

The disappointment is no different from past years because the feeling is the same, the result is the samedefender Morgan Rielly told reporters. If there are differences or more positive to draw from it, it will take time before dissecting all that.

This one hurts more ’cause I think we’re closer [du but] that it seemsfor his part underlined head coach Sheldon Keefe, recalling in passing the merits of the Lightning, two-time defending Stanley Cup champion.

Game 7 of the series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Images: CBC Sports/NHL)

Photo: Getty Images/Claus Andersen

Forward Nick Paul, acquired at the trade deadline by the Lightning, played heroes for the Florida team. The native of Mississauga, in the suburbs of Toronto, hurt the team of his childhood by scoring his two goals, his first two in the playoffs by the way.

Paul first pushed a rebound from teammate Ross Colton past Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell late in the first period to open the scoring.

The Maple Leafs thought they scored the tying goal at 11:28 in the second period. John Tavares went it alone around the Lightning net before beating Andrei Vasilevskiy with a shot into the top of the net. Defender Justin Holl, however, obstructed the streak. The goal was disallowed.

Morgan Rielly finally relieved the Toronto fans with 6:35 left in the second period. He put the finishing touches on a climb into enemy territory with Marner and Matthews.

Nick Paul scored his second goal of the game after a few more good Leafs scoring chances in the middle period. The Ontarian ignored the traffic in front of Campbell’s net to slip in and restore the lead to his team.

The 27-year-old forward nearly completed a hat trick four minutes into the third period. He charged at full speed at the Toronto net without however being able to slip the puck past Campbell.

The Maple Leafs got a valuable power play with 13:41 left in the game as Ondrej Palat of the Lightning retained Marner. However, they failed to capitalize on it, finishing the match with no goals on three occasions with the advantage of one man.

Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was smoking hot in this game. He arguably booked his best performance of the series for Game 7. He stopped 30 of 31 shots he faced, having allowed at least three goals in each of the previous six games.

The Lightning will now face the Florida Panthers for the second straight year in the second round. Tampa Bay won in six games in the first round in 2021.

Forward Brayden Point, however, may have to sit out indefinitely. He injured his right leg late in the first period while attempting a turn down the ramp. His leg seemed to get stuck between the ice and the boards, and he retreated to the locker room without being able to lean on it. He attempted a comeback in the second period, but it only lasted about 20 seconds. He didn’t play anymore.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper had no update on his forward’s condition after the game.

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