Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Keys Versus the Tampa Bay Lightning
By Paul Taylor
As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning, we look at three factors which could decide the outcome at the Air Canada Centre.
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After all the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ recent activity leading up to Monday’s trade deadline, there is no doubt of their intentions for the remainder of this season. While 30th place doesn’t guarantee the first overall draft pick, it still gives them their best chance from a statistical standpoint.
Interestingly, the only team currently below the Leafs in the standings are the Edmonton Oilers who, unlike them, aren’t actually trying to tank! Regardless, Mike Babcock’s men continue their quest for bottom spot, with a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This will be the third of five meetings between the sides this season, with Tampa Bay winning the first two games. We look at three factors, which will help determine if Toronto can finally emerge victorious.
1) Steven Stamkos
Hardly the most original of keys, but it doesn’t change the fact Steven Stamkos will be a handful for the Leafs. He is on a bit of a roll right now, with goals in his last six games.
Despite the Lightning recently confirming the former first overall draft pick would not be traded before the deadline, it hasn’t stopped speculation about his future. In that respect, expect him to be continually linked with a possible move to Toronto.
Incidentally, Stamkos always seems to get up for playing his hometown team. He has 32 points in 27 appearances against the Leafs, including the only goal of the game when these teams last met.
2) Garret Sparks
As Lou Lamoriello admitted, part of the reason for the James Reimer trade, was to give their goalie prospects a chance. Step forward Garret Sparks, who was recalled from the Marlies on Saturday.
Lamoriello explained the team needs to find out how their youngsters respond to the difference between the AHL and NHL. With that in mind, Sparks is in line to potentially start against the Lightning.
The 22-year hasn’t appeared for the Leafs since December 17. In five career starts – all this season – he has a 3-1-0 record, a goals-against average of 2.58 and a save percentage of .915.
3) A team in form
There are sometimes discussion among analysts about whether or not game-to-game momentum is a real thing in professional sports. Regardless, there’s no getting around the fact Tampa Bay is in a zone right now.
When the Lightning face the Leafs on Monday night, they will be looking to tie their season-high of seven consecutive wins. While the Washington Capitals are probably out of reach, they are well-placed to make a run at second spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Perhaps Toronto’s best hope, is that this game will represent the second of a back-to-back for their opponent. However, this may count for little, given that Jon Cooper’s men are coming off an impressive 4-1 win against fellow contenders, the Boston Bruins.
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What do you expect from the Leafs against the Lightning? Let us know in the comments section below.