Toronto Maple Leafs thump Lightning 7-2 in emphatic Game 2 response
Global News
The Toronto Maple Leafs bounced back in impressive fashion in Game 2, after an embarrassing Game 1 performance, with a 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.
TORONTO — John Tavares doesn’t tend to show much emotion.
The Maple Leafs’ stoic captain usually leads by example with a head-down, dogged determination he’s demonstrated since his days as a teenage phenom.
On the heels of a disastrous playoff opener, Tavares knew it was on him to drag his team into the fight.
The rest of Toronto’s stars followed suit.
Tavares registered his first post-season hat trick as the Leafs bounced back in impressive fashion off an embarrassing Game 1 performance with an emphatic 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday to even their first-round playoff series 1-1.
“We wanted to have a good response,” said the 32-year-old, whose team dropped the opener 7-3 on home ice. “As the captain, tried to set the standard.”
Mitch Marner scored twice and set up another, while William Nylander had a goal and an assist. Morgan Rielly tied a franchise record with four assists, and Auston Matthews added two of his own for the Leafs, whose big-name talent stepped up in a big way in a big moment.
“That’s the type of performance you’re looking for from those guys,” Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We needed to have a good day today, and we did.
