In the final meaningful game of the Leafs' season, they actually managed to stay level with their opponent on chances, but, unlike much of the season, were unable to put any of their chances in, and slumped to a defeat. A familiar problem for the Leafs saw them outchanced in the third period, despite chasing the game, and, in theory at least, their playoff lives.
The Leafs had a solid start in the first, struggled in the middle section, at one point giving up six of seven chances, but closed out the frame by pulling a few back, including a couple on a late powerplay. However, there were no goals scored by either side.
They then had one of their unluckiest periods of the season, broadly outchancing the Lightning in the second, but falling behind on a pair of goals from Ondrej Palat. In particular, Phil Kessel was all over Tampa, but couldn't put one in or set up a teammate, a familiar story down the stretch.
Yet again, Toronto were unable to do anything serious in the closing period, giving up the first five chances, and not getting a chance of their own until the second half of the period. They did manage to come up with four chances in the frame, but it wasn't nearly good enough.
An even game, with the two teams level overall and at ES. Losing the third period in chances made it eight straight games in which the Leafs have been outchanced in the last 20 minutes of regulation. ES close chances were also level, at 9-9.
A summary of the scoring chances:
| Status |
Overall |
ES |
| Team |
Toronto |
Tampa Bay |
Toronto |
Tampa Bay |
| 1 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
| 2 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
5 |
| 3 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
| Total |
20 |
20 |
17 |
17 |
Details below.
Toronto's sudden run of defeats has come at a poor time, with a playoff spot that seemed so secure days ago now looking more and more precarious. A home loss to Tampa was particularly worrisome, as the goaltending, which has been the Leafs' biggest strength all season, now seems a real point of vulnerability, with Bernier's injury and Reimer's struggles.
The first period was level in chances, with the Lightning edging the period, and leaving ahead 3-2, with the Leafs' early lead undone by a pair from Steven Stamkos. The Leafs were then totally overwhelmed at the start of the second, giving up seven of the next eight ES chances after the 5-minute penalty from the end of the first expired.
Down 4-2, there was some hope for the Leafs, as they finished the second strongly, at got off to a great start in the third, including cutting the lead to one through Gardiner. However, they generated just 3 ES chances the rest of the game, and gave up a back-breaker of a goal with 7 minutes to go. They did manage four chances with the goalie out, but they weren't able to cut the lead down from two.
That chase in the third period allowed the Leafs to pull just barely ahead in the ES chances, though the close chances were handily won by Tampa, 11-6.
A summary of the scoring chances:
| Status |
Overall |
ES |
| Team |
Toronto |
Tampa Bay |
Toronto |
Tampa Bay |
| 1 |
6 |
8 |
6 |
7 |
| 2 |
5 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
| 3 |
12 |
3 |
6 |
1 |
| Total |
23 |
18 |
16 |
15 |
Details below.
The Leafs' best offensive output of the season wasn't a high-scoring affair, but was a game that was close most of the way, with Toronto really coming on in the final period to get the win.
The first fifteen minutes of the opening period went heavily in Tampa's favour, but after a powerplay at the five minute mark, Toronto were excellent, getting seven straight chances to pull nearly level.
The second was an even period, with neither team establishing any stretches of real dominance; Toronto took the lead when Raymond was sprung through by Kulemin, and did well enough after that to win the period solidly. The Leafs then played one of their best third periods of the season, doubling up the Lightning in chances and getting three goals to pull away for a comfortable win.
The 28 ES chances, and 31 overall, are easily season bests for the Leafs, who were very dangerous in Tampa. The 20 chances against were one of the weaker defensive performances they've had, but they still managed to handily outchance the Lightning. The chances were closer while the game was close, as the Leafs only won 17-14 in that case.
A summary of the scoring chances:
| Status |
Overall |
ES |
| Team |
Toronto |
Tampa Bay |
Toronto |
Tampa Bay |
| 1 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
8 |
| 2 |
10 |
6 |
10 |
6 |
| 3 |
11 |
6 |
11 |
6 |
| Total |
31 |
20 |
28 |
20 |
Details below.
