Lightning Strikes 7 Times

The 2022-2023 playoffs didn't start out the way Leafs nor their fans had hoped. They fell to the lightning 7-3 in a first game that can really just be described as embarrassing.

Of course that not only sends Leafs fans into a frenzy, but fans of other teams chiming in laughing about how the Leafs had already lost the series. While their start wasn't great, don't count them out just yet; it's a seven game series for a reason.

Samsonov wasn't happy with his permformance, saying he "played like sh*t". He was welcomed to the disaster that is the Leafs in the first round with a swift punch to the gut, allowing 6 goals and not returning to the third period for more torture, instead, Joseph Woll making an appearance.

One of the things I like about Samsonov is he takes responsibility for his play. It's easy to blame bad bounces, bad luck; but he didn't do either of those things. He acknowledged he has to do better. But the question remains, is it enough? Does he have what it takes to take the Leafs past the first round? Or does Keefe decide to go with Woll for game two? Or, maybe you give Samsonov another chance?

Goaltending was only one of the issues in the first game. The inability to stay out of the box was among the biggest issue in the game. The lightning went 4/8 on the powerplay, while the Leafs went 2/4. It's obvious that in order to win this series, they're going to have to stay out of the box. The conspiracies are already coming out. Wes Mccauly seemingly "has it in for the Leafs", with him and Sheldon Keefe "having beef" off the ice. Even if the allegations are true, and even if they had any merit whatsoever, all teams have to deal with calls against them, what makes every Leafs fan think that there's a conspiracy coming from the top, plotting to ensure they never make it past the first round.

Whether there is any merit to these accusations remains to be seen. Refs are notoriously bad all season long, they're even historically worse in the playoffs. There were definite blown calls and soft calls in the game, but such is the case in every game. It's not ideal, and it's rather sad that the NHL is the only league where a penalty is only a penalty sometimes, not all the time; depends on the timing.

You can blame the refs all you want, but with 11 giveaways, subpar goaltending, and the inability for the stars to up their game in crucial moments, are the Leafs going to share the same fate they have endured for the last six seasons?

I don't think the Leafs are out of this yet. Let's not forget last year's first round, game one. The Leafs came out strong, winning 5-0 only to lose the series in 7 anyway.

Though Tampa isn't a strong as they "seem". The idea that they decided to suck for the last part of the season only to pounce on the Leafs in the first round is Ludacris. Jon Cooper may make it seem like things are fine, and he's happy being the "underdog" (as if anyone actually sees it that way). They're not the team they used to be, and one team can only have the bounces go their way in every way possible for so long. And the for the Leafs; there's only so long that they would have bad luck in the first round, right?

Look for the Leafs to make a statement game next game on Thursday. Expect to see a completely different team if they have a hope of erasing the embarrassing series opener.