(Photo via Tampabay.com)
By Michael Wax
2022 Playoffs: The Tampa Bay Lightning lost 4-0 in game one of their first round matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They trail the series 1-0.
Game Summary
1st Period
The Lightning had one minor lineup change heading into game one. Sophomore defenseman Cal Foote drew in to the lineup for his first Stanley Cup playoff game, with veteran Zach Bogosian serving as the healthy scratch.
The Lightning were given power play opportunities early, and had a chance to take an early lead when Kyle Clifford was given a five minute major for boarding Ross Colton.
The Lightning couldn't generate anything with their five minute power play, a microcosm of what was to come. After the Leafs pushed and pushed for the opening goal, Jake Muzzin fired a shot off the post and in for the game's opening goal. Vasilevskiy had to make a huge breakaway save on William Nylander to keep the game 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.
2nd Period
The second period performance didn't change much for the Lightning, and the results showed. They failed to capitalize on yet another power play, then gave up back-to-back penalties to put themselves at a 5-on-3 disadvantage. Just nine seconds into the 5-on-3, Auston Matthews wired a shot home to give the Leafs a 2-0 lead.
With the game still very much in reach, the Lightning got another power play. Victor Hedman failed to keep the puck in at the offensive blue line, and couldn't quite knock the puck away from David Kampf. Kampf walked in on Vasilevskiy and scored to make it a 3-0 game with his shorthanded goal.
The Lightning had a few minutes of pressure after the 3-0 goal, but quickly surrendered a fourth when the fourth line and McDonagh-Cernak pairing got confused in transition, allowing Mitch Marner a chance at a virtually open net for a 4-0 Leafs lead.
3rd Period
The third period, much like the first two, saw the Leafs control play. Auston Matthews scored his second of the game to make it 5-0 off a weird bounce off the boards that caught Andrei Vasilevskiy out of position.
The Lightning's biggest push of the night came with under ten minutes to play, when a line brawl broke out.
Game two will be on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm, where the Lightning will try to even up the series at a game apiece.
Game Stats
Our Three Stars
1. Matthews (TOR): 2 Goals, 1 Assist
2. Marner (TOR): 1 Goal, 2 Assists
3. Campbell (TOR): 23-save Shutout
Media's Three Stars
1. Campbell (TOR): 23-save Shutout
2. Matthews (TOR): 2 Goals, 1 Assist
3. Marner (TOR): 1 Goal, 2 Assists
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