Here we are. We’ve made it. Game Seven between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.
How are you feeling?
Tonight can either be spent hugging your loved ones and people on the street as the seconds tick down to a Maple Leafs win, or it can end like the last nine elimination games have — in defeat.
The closer we get to puck drop on Saturday night, the larger the nerves get. This game won’t only be watched by Maple Leafs and Lightning fans, but every fan in across the hockey universe. This game is massive.
Every player on the Maple Leafs must be on the top of their game because the Lightning are going to come out just as hard. Tonight will be a tsunami of emotions for everyone — win or lose.
It’s the Maple Leafs’ biggest game in a very long time.
The lines
Both teams will enter Game Seven with the same lineups they had on Thursday night.
If you missed the game, or missed what the lineup looked like, here’s how the Maple Leafs’ lines shape up ahead of Saturday night’s do-or-die game.
#Leafs line rushes during morning skate May 14/22
Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Kerfoot
Nylander-Kampf-Engvall
Spezza-Blackwell-Kase
Extra: Clifford, Simmonds, AndersonRielly-Lyubushkin
Muzzin-Brodie
Giordano-Holl
Sandin-LiljegrenCampbell
Kallgren
Mrazek— David Alter (@dalter) May 14, 2022
If you’re wondering what any of the Maple Leafs had to say prior to Game Seven, it’s all very encouraging. Each of the players and Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe are excited for the opportunity.
Marner, on if this team thought too much about the past and if that was a problem in previous years: “Maybe. I mean, nothing you can do about it now. We’re here for this moment right now. Excited for it.â€
— David Alter (@dalter) May 14, 2022
William Nylander had the best quote after the morning skate, saying “We don’t need to be scared to lose.â€
Nylander on what was learned in previous do-or-die games: “I think we came out flat, scared to lose. We don’t need to be scared to lose.â€
— David Alter (@dalter) May 14, 2022
Keefe added that this is the most confident he’s ever been as the head coach of the Maple Leafs. He’s ready for everything.
Sheldon Keefe’s confidence in the Maple Leafs going into Game 7: pic.twitter.com/mueg750feL
— The Leafs Nation (@TLNdc) May 14, 2022
Just looking at the way each of them are speaking, it feels like this outcome should be different than past elimination games. They’re ready for the challenge and not shying away from it.
Speaking of the challenger, here’s what the Lightning’s lineup looks like heading into Game Seven.
a look at the lines …
Palat – Stamkos – Kucherov
Cirelli – Point – Killorn
Hagel – Paul – Colton
Maroon – Bellemare – Perry— Gabby Shirley (@Gabby_Shirley_) May 12, 2022
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens in this game, especially who is the big goal-scorer. Which team will flourish during the most tense moments? Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is ready for anything.
Jon Cooper on balancing the gravity of a Game 7 with enjoying the moment:
“The sun will come up tomorrow. What’s that [famous] line? The thrill of victory and agony of defeat? It’s extremely difficult when you lose…but damn, is it exhilarating when you win.”
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) May 14, 2022
As it’s gone for every game in this series, Jack Campbell and Andrei Vasilevskiy will be the starters. Similar to last game, it’s the challenge of getting their save percentage above .900. I believe whoever wins this game will get over that hump.
If you’re interested in watching tonight’s game — because why wouldn’t you be — puck drop is set for just after 7PM ET on CBC in Canada and TNT in the US. For the radio listeners, it’ll be on TSN1050.
Enjoy tonight. And if they win, boy, enjoy it even more.
More from TheLeafsNation.com
-
Is this time different? A confidence check on the Maple Leafs by Jon Steitzer
-
Tonight, Jack Campbell has a unique chance at Game 7 redemption by Kyle Cushman
- ‘It was my 15th season, I love playing in Toronto, and I don’t know’ Rich Clune’s hockey-playing career hangs in the balance by Nick Barden
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