(Photo via Tampabay.com)
By Michael Wax
2022 Playoffs: The Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs will head to a Game Seven following the Lightning's 4-3 OT win in game six.
Game Summary
1st Period
Once again, the Lightning put their will to bounce back and win to the test, as evident by their 16-0 record following a loss in the past three postseasons. The first period, just like game five, was their best period of the game. During some 4-on-4 play with under three minutes to go, Alexander Kerfoot made an ill-advised dropback pass into the Leafs zone. Ondrej Palat picked up the turnover and snapped it by Jack Campbell to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead.
2nd Period
Just like in game five, the Lightning's play dipped after the first period. Just like in game five, they secured a multi-goal lead. As the Leafs' power play attempted to break into the Lightning zone late in the penalty, Cirelli blocked Ilya Mikheyev's break-in with his body. He then raced up the ice, spun around Mark Giordano, and fired one past Campbell for a 2-0 lead in what could be the Lightning's goal of the playoffs.
The Lightning's poor play would continue throughout the period, and they paid the price for it. First, a bad icing from Ryan McDonagh gave the Leafs an opportunity to put Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on the ice. Matthews found himself in front and made a great tip on a Giordano shot to cut the lead to 2-1.
With under a minute to go in the second, the Lightning completely melted down. Back-to-back goals by Leafs captain John Tavares, 26 seconds apart, gave the Leafs a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.
3rd Period
With their season on the line, the Lightning were given a golden opportunity when back-to-back hick-sticking penalties were called against the Leafs. After initially too much passing, Nikita Kucherov finally broke through to tie the game.
Overtime
Vasilevskiy was the man in OT. Nine saves by the Big Cat, including multiple grade-A saves.
With under three minutes to go, Brandon Hagel brought the puck into the offensive zone. Hagel fired a pass across to Alex Killorn, and OT hero Brayden Point followed up on a rebound to keep the Lightning alive.
Game seven will be on Saturday, time TBD. The winner will move on to round two, and the loser will go home.
Game Stats
Our Three Stars
1. Point (TBL): OT Goal, Assist
2. Vasilevskiy (TBL): 30 Saves on 33 Shots
3. Foote (TBL): 20:45 TOI, 3 Hits, 3 Blocks
Media's Three Stars
1. Point (TBL): OT Goal, Assist
2. Tavares (TOR): 2 Goals
3. Cirelli (TBL): Short Handed Goal
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