The Toronto Maple LeafsThey were tight-lipped about the officiating after several plays went against their team in Game 6 overtime loss. Tampa Bay LightningThe teams will play in the first round of Stanley Cup playoffs in Tampa, Florida.
Toronto had a chance at sending the Stanley Cup champions home with a win. Toronto was very close, leading by a score of 3-2 midway through the third. This was when the controversial high-sticking penalty against Toronto was called. David KampfThe second went against Alex Kerfoot 16 seconds later, giving Tampa Bay a 5-on-3 powerplay.
Nikita KucherovWith the help of the extra men, the team was able to tie the game at 3. This forced overtime. Brayden PointHe won the game-winning goal to give Tampa Bay a win of 4-3 and force Game 7 in Toronto.
However, overtime was not called for. Alex KillornHolding Auston Matthewsas the Leafs' top scorer fought for position inside the offensive zone. Matthews was also tripped on the center ice, and was taken out of play just before Point scored the winning goal.
Toronto's players were clearly unhappy with the lack in calls and were seen arguing on the ice with officials. The Leafs were largely silent on the ice, but that was not the most interesting part.
“We don’t have any comments on it,” John TavaresAnswered questions about Game 6 officiating: “[It was]It was unfortunate how it ended in the third period. However, I felt that we had regrouped well.
Matthews was also tight-lipped when he was asked twice about his opinions on officiating.
He told reporters that he was not going to comment after the game.
Now, Tampa Bay and Toronto have had to be called for the most penalties during the postseason (41 in the case of the Leafs; 36 in the case of the Lightning). Matthews thought that the standard of officiating had changed in that crucial matchup.
He responded again, “I'm no longer going to comment on it.” “What's in my past is my past. It's all about the next game.
Jon Cooper, the Lightning coach, had a different perspective on the situation. He said that the Leafs “earned”, and “took advantage of” their third-period penalties.
Toronto will now be the host of the series for Game 7. The Leafs are not known for their ability to close out playoff series. Since 2018, they have been 0-8 in series-deciding matches. They have not reached the second round in the postseason since 2004.
The Lightning managed to keep alive an important streak in Game 6. After losing Game 5, Tampa Bay is now 17-0 in postseason games since 2019.
The entire series has been back-and-forth. In order to keep their hopes alive for a three-peat, the Lightning must break the cycle and take Game 7 to the road.
