Casey Cizikas’ overtime goal lifts Islanders past Bruins in Game 2 - Sportsnet.ca

BOSTON (AP) — Casey Cizikas saw the open ice ahead. And he knew the Boston defense would be coming on quickly.

"I knew that D-man was going to be tracking me hard," Cizikas said Monday night after his breakaway goal with 14:48 gone in overtime gave the Islanders a 4-3 victory over the Bruins and sent the second-round playoff series back to New York tied at one game apiece.

"I just wanted to get a shot off," Cizikas added, "and I was able to beat him."

Cizikas picked up a loose puck that bounced off Boston forward Charlie Coyle’s skate and he raced in all alone on Tuukka Rask before beating him high on the stick side. A fourth-line center, Cizikas hadn’t scored since April 1 and hadn’t netted a playoff goal since 2015.

"It’s been a real long time. You’re just trying to do the right things in overtime. Be in the right spot," he said. "I was lucky for that puck to pop off in the middle there, and give me an opportunity to get that one."

Semyon Varlamov returned to the net to make 39 saves for the Islanders, who head back to the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, for Game 3 on Thursday night. The Islanders said they will be increasing capacity to 12,000 for the second round after hosting 9,000 for Game 6 of the first-round series against the Penguins.

"We know how that barn rocks," Cizikas said. "We’re going to build off that crowd. We’re looking forward to it."

Josh Bailey, Kyle Palmieri and Jean-Gabriel Pageau all scored in the second period — with a little help from the Bruins — as the Islanders rallied from a 1-0 deficit to take a 3-1 lead.

But Brad Marchand set up Patrice Bergeron’s one-timer to make it a one-goal game midway through the third. Then Marchand tied it with a goal of his own about five minutes later.

"Obviously, we were on our heels a little bit, but I thought we regrouped," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "That’s the type of series I expected going into it, and I expect the same when we get on the Island."

Varlamov, who started both losses in the six-game victory over Pittsburgh in the first round, stopped all six Boston shots in overtime.

"We made a play that obviously was ill-advised, and they scored on a breakaway," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Here we are, it’s 1-1. They’re a good hockey club. We certainly didn’t expect it to be easy."

Tuukka Rask made 38 saves in his 100th career playoff game, and Coyle scored Boston’s other goal.

But that doesn’t mean the Bruins weren’t putting pucks in the nets.

After Coyle gave Boston the lead in the first, Bailey tied it when he bounced one off Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon’s skate and into the goal. Four minutes later, Rask himself swiped a puck into the net with his glove after saving Palmieri’s attempt to stuff it in.

With less than three minutes left in the second, a pass from Mathew Barzal was deflected by Boston defenseman Connor Clifton right to Pageau, who beat Rask to make it 3-1. It was Boston’s first two-goal deficit this postseason.

But Bergeron made it 3-2 midway through the third period and, with just under five minutes left in regulation and the Islanders shorthanded for a too many men penalty, Marchand wristed one past Varlamov to tie it.

"Let’s face it: The first goal went in off our skate, last goal hit our skate (and) gets them a breakaway," Cassidy said. "So, sometimes you’ve got to be fortunate in this game, too. They took advantage of the last good bounce."

SUB IN

Varlamov started in place of Ilya Sorokin, the rookie who started all four wins in the first-round series against Pittsburgh but lost 5-2 to Boston in the second-round opener on Saturday.

FULL HOUSE

The game was the second for Boston since the state lifted COVID-19 restrictions on attendance. A sellout crowd of 17,400 was on hand, chanting nasty things about New York and Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, who beat the Celtics for 39 points in their NBA playoff game a night earlier.

Irving had to dodge a water bottle as he left the court on Sunday night; a fan was arrested and facing a ban from the building. The Bruins game featured nothing more than obscene chants.

OUT … AND ABOUT

Bruins forward Sean Kuraly left the game with about five minutes left in the first period after taking a stick to the neck from Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy. Kuraly returned before the period was over.

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2021-06-01 03:28:00Z
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NHL Game Highlights | Islanders vs. Bruins, Game 2 - May 31, 2021 - SPORTSNET

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2021-06-01 03:25:53Z
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First Round, Gm 7: Canadiens @ Maple Leafs 5/31/21 | NHL Highlights - NHL

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2021-06-01 01:53:33Z
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Leafs blow 3-1 series lead, speechless - Pension Plan Puppets

The Toronto Maple Leafs go gently into that good night, the Montreal Canadiens go to the second round. The score of the game was 1-3.

Brendan Gallagher, Corey Perry, and Tyler Toffoli scored on the Leafs.

William Nylander scored for the Leafs in garbage time. He finished the playoffs with five goals and eight points against the Canadiens, by far the best Leafs player.

Disclaimer, the recap gets pretty dark by the end. I won’t apologize for anything I say in it.

First Period

Marner got the first shot of the game from the point. Most of the other chances for Toronto came from the perimeter within the first five minutes. Hyman had a drive to the net, but he backed off and went around the net instead. This is something I’ve seen the first line (especially Marner) do a lot and it’s not really worked. Full steam ahead, let’s go.

Nylander with a great back-check here that helped keep the puck from getting in the defensive zone.

We got a heart attack moment a few minutes later when Holl gave the puck away in the defensive zone and Dermott failed to break up the pass on a 2-on-1 between Byron and Anderson. Anderson luckily didn’t get a handle on the puck as Campbell was fully scrambling. The Leafs got away with it, but woof.

While the second pair was a bit of a tire-fire, and the third pair getting pretty light usage, it’s so good to TJ Brodie on the team.

Spezza nearly tipped this puck over Price’s shoulder, but it was just too low.

After One

5v5 stats:

• Shot attempts: 17-20 (46%)
• Shots on goal: 8-12
• Scoring chances: 5-6
• Expected goals: 0.23-0.39 (38%)

Thoughts:

The first period can be summed up with the following heat map. Blah, blah, and a big fat blob of blah from the right side of the point. Holl, Marner, and Brodie were the main culprits here.

Blah.

Our healthcare workers have the energy, where’s yours, Leafs!!!

Second Period

0-1

Turnover from Marner and Gallagher beats Campbell five-hole the other way. I don’t know what Marner’s instincts were, but he was dangling across the blueline in front of two defenders. No plan to dump it in, no plan to go back and reset. Poor decision making and it goes the other way. Campbell should’ve had it, not sure what else you can say about that.

Hyman had two chances after from around the net, but there was a wall of Habs defenders in his way before even getting to Price. No penetration.

All night the Leafs have struggled to get the puck to Nylander. Kerfoot was no exception on a 2-on-1 with the top scorer. It’s just so frustrating. Matthews had a rush chance on Price, but he missed it on the short side (might’ve touched Price or the post).

0-2

After some calls both ways that were let go, the refs chose Engvall to penalize with hooking. Other penalties weren’t called minutes before, but for some reason this relatively weak call was. Perry tipped home a point shot past Campbell, doubling the lead.

Leafs get a power play to start the third with Armia going to the box.

After Two

5v5 stats:

• Shot attempts: 14-11 (56%)
• Shots on goal: 6-5
• Scoring chances: 5-2
• High danger scoring chances: 0-3
• Expected goals: 0.37-0.29 (57%)

Thoughts:

I don’t know what to say. The big blob of death has only gotten bigger from the right point, there is a massive void in front of the net. I don’t know what you want to hear. The Leafs gave up the first two goals of the game. Scoring three goals isn’t impossible, but from this vantage point in the game, it’s looking damn impossible. You already know what the result of this game is, but I don’t, but I’m sure we both know what it is.

The Leafs combined for 0.61 expected goals through two periods, no wonder they haven’t scored.

And through what only can be described as osmosis, the Leafs have acquired Tyson Barrie.

Third Period

The Leafs did nothing with the power play.

Oh hey, Gabriel Landeskog is a free agent. Maybe the Leafs can get Sam Reinhart for the cheap. Would need to shed some salary to get both done. But wherever will we find $10.916 million in cap space?

It took 13 minutes into the third for Matthews to get his first shot on goal.

Maybe we can convince the Sens to give us Brady Tkachuk too. Tell them Marner comes with his own sponsors. He only costs $6.2 million in salary — that’s much closer to his true value. We paid the front end for them. $31 million in two seasons. All of that good for four primary assists (and no goals) in the playoffs.

If you have a problem with me writing these things, feel free to go revoke the journalism degree I don’t have.

Matthews and Hyman showed off some pace and nearly got something going, but they couldn’t get by the wall of Habs and Price, again. Spezza is now playing with Kerfoot and Nylander. 10 minutes to go in this god awful game.

Not a penalty.

Leafs get a power play with Weber in the box, but Sandin can’t hold the line. Nylander is on the unit. Nylander created a chance for Marner, who didn’t shoot. Nylander then got his own one-timer that hit Price’s pad.

Five minutes to go. Campbell goes to the bench with four minutes to go.

0-3

Toffoli scores the empty netter.

1-3

Nylander scored his fifth goal of the playoffs within the last two minutes of garbage time.

After Three

Full game 5v5 stats:

• Shot attempts: 42-37 (53%)
• Shots on goal: 23-20 (ok sure)
• Scoring chances: 18-10 (didn’t feel like it)
• Expected goals: 0.98-0.80 (55%)

Thoughts:

What do you want me to say?

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2021-06-01 01:33:51Z
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Carey Price Has No Glove Or Blocker On As Officials Drop Puck On Game 7 - SPORTSNET

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2021-06-01 00:11:50Z
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Golden Knights’ Reaves suspended 2 games for roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct - Sportsnet.ca

DENVER (AP) — Vegas forward Ryan Reaves was suspended two games by the NHL on Monday for his roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct on Colorado’s Ryan Graves during the Golden Knights’ 7-1 loss in Game 1 of their second-round series Sunday.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced earlier in the day on social media it was holding a hearing with Reaves, who drew a match penalty for attempting to injure an opponent — Graves — at 8:04 of the third period in a skirmish-filled game.

Vegas’ Ryan Reaves has been suspended for two games for Roughing/ Unsportsmanlike Conduct on Colorado’s Ryan Graves. https://t.co/26pAMLIJW5

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 31, 2021

In a video posted on the league’s site explaining the decision, the NHL said both the officials and Reaves acknowledged "a chunk of Graves’ hair was pulled out by Reaves" during the scrum. The league also noted Reaves’ actions — the roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct — were "retaliation" for an earlier hit by Graves on Mattias Janmark.

"Reaves and the Golden Knights acknowledged that, angered by the earlier hit, he takes this opportunity to send a message to Graves as payback," the league said in the video. "And while some of the actions taken by Reaves could be sufficiently penalized by the on-ice officials, the totality of Reaves’ actions combined with the game situation and the retribution involved in the play necessitates supplemental discipline."

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety cited the fact it was roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct and considered Reaves’ history — he was fined twice and suspended twice previously.

Before the discipline was announced, Vegas coach Pete DeBoer stuck up for Reaves, who avoided punishment for a hit from behind in a Game 7 win over Minnesota on Friday that sent Ryan Suter’s face into the goal post.

"For me, Ryan is one of the cleanest tough guys I’ve seen in the league in my 12, 13 years," DeBoer said of Reaves as his team tries to regroup for Game 2 on Wednesday. "He’s consistently a clean, physical player."

The Avalanche weren’t thrilled with the play on Graves, who was thrown to the ice as his helmet rolled away. Graves stayed down as trainers tended to him with skirmishes going on all around.

"Graves is down in a vulnerable position and he just stays on top of him and obviously hits him," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "So I didn’t like the play. But (DeBoer) knows his player. I guess I don’t think that (Reaves) is out there trying to injure people on purpose. He’s just got a ruggedness to his game.

"In that situation in the game, I just didn’t like it that much."

Same went for Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who quipped after Sunday’s rout: "Reaves is on a mission to hurt somebody in the third and that’s what he goes out and does."

DeBoer offered a defence.

"I do know a couple of things: His gloves never came off, nobody was hurt on the play," DeBoer said. "Whether they’re going to look at what’s between the lines there, and think that there’s something there that maybe I don’t see, that’s their department, not mine."

The Golden Knights were none-too-pleased with a chest-high hit Graves delivered on Janmark near the boards in the second period. Janmark didn’t return and DeBoer had no update Monday.

"That’s tough to watch," DeBoer said after the game. "A defenceless player, one of your teammates getting hit like that, it’s hard not to carry that emotion through the rest of the game."

The lopsided nature of Game 1 was a surprise given the two teams were so evenly matched throughout the regular season. They tied for the most points in the league, but the Avalanche earned the Presidents’ Trophy — along with home-ice advantage in the postseason — by virtue of a tiebreaker (more regulation wins).

Fatigue may have played a factor. The Golden Knights had one day off following a grueling first-round series with Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Avalanche had nearly a week off after a four-game sweep of St. Louis.

Colorado showed off its early speed in jumping out to a 5-0 lead on goaltender Robin Lehner, who was the surprise starter. Marc-Andre Fleury is expected back in goal Wednesday. Fleury played in all seven games against the Wild and posted a 1.71 goals-against average.

After re-watching the footage, DeBoer noted: "It wasn’t all bad, as ridiculous as that sounds, when you look at the box score.

"We’re deep enough into the season that we know what our good game looks like," DeBoer added. "We know what we have to get to and it’s a matter of getting back to it."

NOTES: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the eight-game suspension of Colorado forward Nazem Kadri for his illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues defenceman Justin Faulk in Game 2 on May 19. Kadri has served three games.

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2021-05-31 23:12:00Z
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Watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7 LIVE w/ Steve Dangle - SPORTSNET

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2021-05-31 23:00:08Z
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Naomi Osaka: French Open withdrawal statement in full - Al Jazeera English

Naomi Osaka said she is withdrawing from the French Open following the bitter fallout from her decision to boycott all media activity.

“Hey everyone, this isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my wellbeing is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris.

“I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly, I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly.

“The truth is I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that.

“Anyone that knows me knows I am introverted, and anyone that has seen me at tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety.

“Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wanna apologize to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media.

“I get really nervous and find it stressful to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can.

“So here in Paris I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious so I thought it was better to exercise self-care and skip the press conferences. I announced it preemptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that.

“I wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament as the Slams are intense.

“I’m gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the Tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans.

“Anyways hope you are all doing well and staying safe, love you guys I’ll see you when I see you.”

pic.twitter.com/LN2ANnoAYD

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 31, 2021

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2021-05-31 20:45:35Z
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How will Anthony Davis' injury impact the Lakers in the series vs. the Suns? | SportsCenter - ESPN

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2021-05-31 20:54:53Z
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Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open - Al Jazeera English

The four-time Grand Slam champion had said she would not face the press during the French Open, citing mental health reasons.

Japan’s tennis player Naomi Osaka has said she is withdrawing from the French Open following the bitter fallout from her decision to boycott all media activity.

On Sunday, the former world number one was warned she could be thrown out of the French Open if she continues to boycott post-match news conferences at the tournament.

“The best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris,” the world number two wrote on Twitter on Monday.

pic.twitter.com/LN2ANnoAYD

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 31, 2021

She was also fined $15,000 by Grand Slam organisers for failing to attend a news conference following her first-round win.

---

READ: Naomi Osaka’s French Open withdrawal statement in full

---

Earlier this week, the four-time Grand Slam champion said she would not face the press during the French Open, citing mental health reasons.

“I’ve often felt that people have no regard for athletes mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one,” she said last week.

In her Twitter post on Monday, she said she “suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that”.

Tennis would rather ditch Osaka completely than have Osaka simply not talk to media.. Okay

— E (@Nwanu) May 31, 2021

“Anyone that knows me knows I’m introverted, and anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety.

“Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wanna apologise especially to all the cool journalists who I may have
hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media.”

“I’m gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the Tour to discuss ways we can
make things better for the players, press and fans.”

Osaka said she has also apologised to organisers over the affair which has dominated the early stages of the French Open ever since she warned last week.

French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton said “we are sorry and sad for Naomi Osaka that she has withdrawn from the tournament”.

He had earlier described Osaka’s vow of silence as “a phenomenal error”.

The four Grand Slam events – Wimbledon, the French, Australian and US Opens – said they had written to Osaka “to check on her well-being and offer support”.

“She was also reminded of her obligations, the consequences of not meeting them and that rules should equally apply to all players.”

I don’t think the organizers of the French Open expected that kind of reaction from Naomi Osaka, but her principles on mental health are really clear and this is why she is a role model to so many people

— Karen K. Ho (@karenkho) May 31, 2021

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2021-05-31 18:41:00Z
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game preview 3 Keys: Canadiens at Maple Leafs, Game 7 of first round - NHL.com

No. 4 Canadiens at No. 1 Maple Leafs  

7 p.m. ET; CNBC, CBC, SN, TVAS

Best-of-7 series tied, 3-3

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens will play Game 7 of their Stanley Cup First Round series at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.

The Maple Leafs have not won a postseason series since 2004 and have lost three consecutive Game 7s dating to 2013. Their last playoff series win came in 2004 when they defeated the Ottawa Senators in seven games in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Toronto forward Jason Spezza said the team has not lost its enthusiasm after two consecutive overtime losses forced Game 7.

"As kids we've all been through this scenario on our driveways playing road hockey, in our basements playing mini-sticks," Spezza said. "These are the moments you dream of. And now to be able to live it out, it's exciting."

The Canadiens won their most recent Game 7, a 3-1 victory against the Boston Bruins in the 2014 Eastern Conference Second Round.

"We'll approach it like we have every other night and see where it goes," Montreal forward Eric Staal said. "And then go on from there."

Toronto is 12-12 all-time in Game 7, including 7-1 at home; Montreal is 14-9, including 6-6 on the road.

The winner will play the Winnipeg Jets in the Stanley Cup Second Round.

Here are 3 keys for Game 7:

 

1. Replacing Muzzin

Defenseman Jake Muzzin will be out at least three weeks with a lower-body injury sustained in a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 6.

Muzzin is the Maple Leafs' most physical defenseman, so expect the Canadiens, led by forwards Corey Perry and Brendan Gallagher, to try to plow their way to the front of the net. Rasmus Sandin, who had a bad giveaway in Toronto's 4-3 overtime loss in Game 5, will draw into the lineup. Don't be surprised if veteran defenseman Zach Bogosian plays an increased role with Muzzin out.

 

2. Canadiens seek another fast start

Quick starts have been key in each of the Canadiens' past two victories. In Game 5 they built a 2-0 lead midway through the first period on two goals by forward Joel Armia. In Game 6, they outshot the Maple Leafs 7-0 in the first three minutes of the game. Establishing early momentum again will be vital in Game 7 against a Toronto team that was the overwhelming pre-series favorite and might start feeling the pressure early if things don't go its way.

"We're dynamic, we're moving, we're on the puck and we're playing fast as a team and that doesn't always mean it's the skating, it's the way we think," Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme said. "We want to have a good start again tonight. There are a few key points on that that makes us have good starts and we want to make sure we apply those."

 

3. Enjoy the moment

Although the Maple Leafs are 0-6 in series-clinching games since 2018, there are reasons for optimism. Captain John Tavares, who sustained a knee injury and concussion in Game 1 on May 20, won't return but his appearance on the ice at Toronto's optional morning skate was a source of inspiration. The teams will be playing in front of 550 healthcare and frontline workers, the first fans to watch an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena in 14 months.

"Clear your mind," Maple Leafs veteran forward Joe Thornton said. "You've got to enjoy the moment and leave it all out on the ice every shift. It starts with the puck drop and ends when that whistle blows. It's going to be a real fun night for us."

 

Canadiens projected lineup

Jake Evans - Phillip Danault -- Brendan Gallagher

Tyler Toffoli -- Nick Suzuki -- Cole Caufield

Paul Byron -- Jesperi Kotkaniemi -- Josh Anderson

Joel Armia -- Eric Staal -- Corey Perry

Joel Edmundson -- Jeff Petry

Ben Chiarot -- Shea Weber

Brett Kulak -- Erik Gustafsson

Carey Price

Jake Allen

Scratched: Tomas Tatar, Michael Frolik, Alex Belzile, Jon Merrill, , Alexander Romanov, Xavier Ouellet, Cayden Primeau

Injured: Artturi Lehkonen (upper body)

Maple Leafs projected lineup

Zach Hyman -- Auston Matthews -- Mitchell Marner

Alex Galchenyuk -- Nick Foligno -- William Nylander

Ilya Mikheyev -- Alexander Kerfoot -- Wayne Simmonds

Joe Thornton -- Pierre Engvall -- Jason Spezza

Morgan Rielly -- TJ Brodie

Travis Dermott -- Justin Holl

Rasmus Sandin -- Zach Bogosian

Jack Campbell

Frederik Andersen

Scratched: Riley Nash, Adam Brooks, Denis Malgin, Martin Marincin, David Rittich, Michael Hutchinson

Injured: John Tavares (concussion/knee), Ben Hutton (illness), Jake Muzzin (lower body)

 

Status report

The Canadiens are expected to use the same lineup as they did in Game 6, Ducharme said. … Dermott likely will move up to the second defense pair with Holl.

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2021-05-31 18:43:34Z
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Game 7 a defining moment for Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner - Sportsnet.ca

TORONTO — This is the moment of truth for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

And it’s a defining moment for Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner, the twin pillars of hope most responsible for the sky-high expectations being challenged by this unexpected Game 7.

“They know the responsibility they have to the team,” said head coach Sheldon Keefe, with the focus intensifying on their performance in this first-round series with Montreal.

While there is no questioning their talent or level of care, there are still questions about the program they provide the foundation for. They were answered rather emphatically during a regular season where the Leafs became kings of the North Division because of Matthews’s ruthless goal-scoring ability and Marner’s point-producing magic.

But old doubts have resurfaced as the Leafs missed on two opportunities to close out the Canadiens while seeing their biggest stars held to just one goal through six games of the series.

That’s introduced a level of chance no one in Toronto can be comfortable with. The Canadiens are a deep team and have been getting Carey Price’s best, but they entered this best-of-seven as such heavy underdogs because they don’t have singular talents to match Matthews or Marner.

And yet they find themselves with an opportunity to deliver the dagger on Monday night.

The Maple Leafs and Canadiens clash in a winner-take-all Game 7 on Monday night in Toronto. Full coverage of the game on CBC, Sportsnet, Sportsnet 590 The Fan and SN Now begins at 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT.

The level of pressure on Toronto’s top players is immense after four consecutive first-round or play-in-round eliminations. This is the kind of situation where they are called on to make the difference. Matthews and Marner are coming off an underwhelming Game 6, but any talk of them being a complete disaster in the series is overstated.

They’ve yet to be on the ice for a 5-on-5 goal against and have generated a boatload of offensive looks. Matthews has 32 shots in the series — 14 more than any member of the Canadiens — and he’s sitting at 3.72 individual expected goals, according to naturalstattrick.com.

The only problem is he just has one.

Marner hasn’t scored in the playoffs since Game 1 of the 2019 series with Boston and compounded his offensive frustrations by taking a crucial puck over the glass penalty during Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss. He sat in the penalty box with his head between his legs.

Should the Leafs fail to advance again, the two highly paid young stars will face the most heat. You’d bet on them breaking through if they were guaranteed another 10 games in June. But all they can count on is the one scheduled for tonight.

“Those guys are guys who want to score every night,” said Zach Hyman, their linemate. “I think that we have to continue to do the right things and stick with the process and we’re going to break through here. I know those guys put a lot of pressure on themselves and it’s going to be a big night for them.”

Lead Off with Ziggy and Scotty Mac

Matthews & Marner need to get more emotionally involved

May 31 2021

The dynamic of this series shifted considerably when John Tavares was stretchered off after 10 minutes. One of the keys to Toronto’s success is creating matchup problems for opponents by deploying two elite centres and Montreal has been able to focus its defensive efforts entirely on the Matthews line, with Shea Weber, Ben Chiarot and Phillip Danault countering him for roughly 60 per cent of his even-strength minutes in this series.

But while that is a major mitigating factor in what’s happened here it won’t provide a worthy excuse if Toronto falls short.

Marner and Matthews were both top-five scorers this season and Keefe began this series by declaring that he was comfortable with them in every potential matchup, saying “I’m not going to be hiding our best people from anyone.”

He was willing to bet on his stars battling through and carrying the day.

Matthews delivered a big Game 2 performance in this series when it was needed after Tavares went down, scoring a goal and two assists. He rarely went more than two games between goals all year and has now gone four. Marner has been kept to four assists in the series — fine production, but not the kind of production he’s paid for.

“There’s lots of moments where those guys have had chances to make the difference,” said Keefe. “They’ve got to trust that those chances will be there again and they’ve got to make good on them and through all of that they’ve got to continue to play hard and play structured and play smart and all those kinds of things.

“Certainly we need everyone to be at their best [in Game 7] and our best players in particular.”

Unless or until this group of Maple Leafs reaches a Stanley Cup Final, they won’t play a game any bigger than this one.

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2021-05-31 14:23:00Z
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550 vaccinated health-care workers to attend Maple Leafs-Canadiens Game 7 in Toronto - CBC.ca

Some 550 health-care workers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be invited to attend Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena Monday evening.

In a news release, Premier Doug Ford said the decision was made in consultation with Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Toronto Public Health and hospital administrators.

"This is well below the arena's capacity," Ford said.

"With these health-care workers having received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks ago, and with precautionary measures in place like screening, masking, distancing, enhanced cleaning and crowd control, public health officials are confident we can put these special fans in the stands safely and with minimal risk."

The move marks a change in course for Ford and his government, who had said over the weekend that no fans would be able to go to Scotiabank Arena for tonight's game. Officials in Quebec allowed about 2,500 masked fans to attend Game 6 in Montreal on Saturday.

Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment is covering the costs, Ford said, and the health-care workers who choose to go will get a free jersey at the game.

A spokesperson for the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto said that its hospitals would each hold random draws for eligible workers. Gillian Howard said UHN received 50 of the 550 tickets, and those who win the draws will receive their tickets via their cellphones.

"Every single day our health care workers put their lives on the line to help others. This small token of appreciation doesn't measure up to the sacrifices they've made during COVID-19, but it is an opportunity for us to recognize their heroic efforts to keep each and every one of us safe," Ford said.

"It also shows that the more of us who get vaccinated, the faster we can return to doing the things we miss."

In a statement, Toronto Mayor John Tory thanked Ford for allowing vaccinated health-care workers to attend the game. 

"Our frontline heroes have helped us get through this pandemic and now they'll be helping cheer on our Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens," he said. 

"I want to thank Premier Ford and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for working quickly to find a way to recognize our frontline workers and safely bring fans back."

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2021-05-31 16:29:11Z
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Chris Paul's legacy is at stake in this series vs. the Lakers - Max Kellerman | First Take - ESPN

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2021-05-31 16:03:52Z
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The Suns will win the series if the Lakers are without Anthony Davis - Seth Greenberg | Get Up - ESPN

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2021-05-31 13:46:10Z
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Confident Canadiens prepared to play loose, free in Game 7 vs. Maple Leafs - Sportsnet.ca

It came off as over-simplistic, but it was perfectly stated.

“The most fun you’re ever going to have playing hockey is a Game 7,” Ben Chiarot said on Sunday, just a dozen hours after playing close to 36 minutes in the Montreal Canadiens‘ season-saving 3-2 overtime win at the Bell Centre. “The key is you go in and play loose. It’s a high-pressure situation. Guys tend to get tight. It’s about staying loose, playing the game and enjoying it.”

If you had to wager on whether or not it would be his Canadiens or the Toronto Maple Leafs finding a way to do that on Monday, who would you choose?

Let’s put it this way: You don’t see any Canadiens fans littering Brendan Gallagher’s Instagram posts with abusive and threatening comments right now.

Sure, the 29-year-old missed the last six weeks of the regular season with a broken thumb and then dove into this series having played just a warmup with the AHL’s Laval Rocket, and there’s been some grace extended to him by Canadiens fans because of it. But they also know Gallagher’s earning $3.75 million this year to put the puck in the net, that he signed a six-year, $39-million extension that only kicks in next off-season, that he’s supposed to be the heart and soul of the Canadiens and he’s got zero points in this series — or four fewer than Toronto’s Mitch Marner has in as many games.

Conversely, type “Marner” into your search window on Twitter and see what pops up.

Livestream every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, blackout-free. Plus get the NHL Draft, Free Agency, Blue Jays & MLB, NBA Playoffs matchups and more.

Actually, maybe just use your imagination, because it’s a veritable cesspool not worth dipping into.

Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said on Sunday that blocking out the noise has been a point of emphasis with his team since training camp got underway in January. He said, “there’s no more important time than to do that here right now,” when he was asked about the scorn Marner faced after he struggled mightily in Game 6 and took a needless penalty that cost his team a goal.

But even if Marner avoided the scuttlebutt, he has an imagination, too.

He and Auston Matthews, who won this year’s Rocket Richard Trophy with 41 goals in 52 games, make a combined $22.5 million and have one goal between them in this series. This was after they were held to just two in a five-game loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the bubble last summer.

They know the eyes — and daggers — of a crazed fanbase are aimed straight at them. And these two superstars aren’t just fighting against their own playoff demons; they’re battling those of Leafs gone by, with the team entrenched in a 54-year Stanley Cup drought and staring down a 16th consecutive season of not playing games beyond the first round.

And no one — probably least of all them — thought they’d have to do it after shutting out the Canadiens 4-0 in Game 4.

The Leafs didn’t just have their counterparts pinned to the mat in establishing a 3-1 series lead. They had them pile-driven through the canvas. And now it’s consensus that if they let them up and lost this series — as the best, deepest and most talented team the organization has put forth this century — it’ll be akin to a deadly tumble down the Everest after several painful slides down steep mountains in recent playoffs.

There’s at least one Toronto columnist who wrote that Monday’s Game 7 is a final opportunity for Matthews and Marner to salvage their reputations, as if they could forever be known as failures if they can’t come through against the Canadiens.

Both players, who are both under the age of 25, will treat this as an opportunity they’ve always dreamt of having, but will they find the freedom to play loose with all of that hanging over their heads?

It’s hard to envision them getting looser if the shots keep going wide, off the post, or off Carey Price at the start of Game 7.

Does anyone think Montreal’s goaltender is going to clam up after what he’s shown since Game 1? After what he showed in overtime on Saturday, pushing aside 13 shots and several quality opportunities as if he were a lion calmly swiping gnats away in between yawns?

Didn’t think so.

“For me, remaining loose is a question of confidence,” said Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme on Sunday. “When we talk about being loose, it’s not just about being relaxed; it’s about being confident.”

The Canadiens found confidence in asserting themselves to obtain 3-0 and 2-0 leads in Games 5 and 6, respectively, and they built on it becoming the first team in NHL history to win both elimination games in overtime after blowing those leads.

If you don’t think Shea Weber, Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry and Joel Edmundson are carrying confidence into Game 7, you either don’t realize or don’t appreciate how those four defencemen played for the Canadiens on Saturday.

They have only one point between them in this series, but you don’t see a single column being written about how the referendum on their careers is in the offing come Monday.

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No, the talk is about how they’ve smothered and smashed Matthews and Marner and put a lick on everyone else skating in a Leafs jersey. It’s about how “they’re the mean men being tough out there,” as Jesperi Kotkaniemi put it after scoring the overtime winner in Game 6.

Chiarot talked about the value of the brute force with which he and the Canadiens have met the Leafs. They’ve out-hit them 254-172, and it’s not just because they’ve been chasing the puck for long portions of each game — they have had multiple periods in this series where they’ve led in both shot attempts and hits by wide margins.

“That’s been a storyline in the playoffs forever,” said the six-foot-three, 225-pound Chiarot, “wearing down the opponent.”

But that’s not just a physical process.

It has a psychological effect, too. One that was so obviously a factor in Game 6, with several Leafs spending more energy attempting to slip checks than taking them to make plays.

Behind them, Jack Campbell has appeared unintimidated — and even brilliant at times.

But he’s 3-3 in his Stanley Cup Playoffs career and has never played in an elimination game. And he’ll be standing across from a goaltender who’s 2-1 and has a .944 save percentage in three career Game 7s. A goaltender who’s built his reputation as the best of his generation by virtually always standing on his head with his back against the wall.

Campbell might find a way to play loose and have fun. Same for Matthews, Marner and this team of talented Leafs players.

But they’ll have to likely do it without Jake Muzzin. He’s one of their two Cup winners, their best defenceman, and his presence in the lineup is very much in doubt after he left Saturday’s game halfway through with a lower-body injury.

Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what they think about it.

At least Zach Bogosian, who won with Tampa Bay a year ago, will play.

And then there’s Joe Thornton and Jason Spezza. They’re seasoned veterans, absolutely.

But their ability to calm the nerves in this situation is in doubt, considering they joined Toronto in the hopes they’d avoid having their names added to the list of the greatest players to have never won a Cup.

Tyler Toffoli has two rings, and Corey Perry, Eric Staal and Edmundson each have one, and they play for the Canadiens. They were brought in for this express purpose, with general manager Marc Bergevin saying it wasn’t by accident he went shopping for winners, and they’ve all shown already in this series that they know how to get loose when the pressure threatens to suffocate everyone in its path.

They’re four players on a Canadiens team that feels good about itself right now. A team that feels prepared to extend its season with one last win over the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena this year, with the Jets waiting for them at Bell MTS Place.

“We’re approaching the game like we did the last two,” said Ducharme. “We want to control what we can control. We’re confident. We’re going to Toronto to head to Winnipeg.”

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2021-05-31 12:42:00Z
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NHL Playoffs Daily 2021 - Game 7 showdown for Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens - ESPN

7:16 AM ET

It doesn't get much juicer than this: a Game 7 between two Original Six franchises, and the first such matchup between two Canadian teams in 17 years. The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to exorcise past playoff demons. And to do it, they'll have to get past a red-hot Carey Price and the opportunistic Montreal Canadiens.

Meanwhile, two second-round series kicked off Sunday, and the Colorado Avalanche look like they may never lose again.

Check out the ESPN NHL Playoffs Daily to catch up every day of the postseason until the Stanley Cup is handed out in July.

More: Playoff schedule | Playoff Central

Monday's games

Game 7: Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs | 7 p.m. (tied 3-3)

It all comes down to this. The Leafs had full control of this series 3-1, but they squandered the past two opportunities to close it out. Sound familiar? Since 2013, the Leafs have lost seven straight games with the ability to clinch a playoff series. Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner have been stifled offensively. Coach Sheldon Keefe is keeping his team on a narrow focus: "I don't think pressure is an issue here. I think it's just a matter of playing a hockey game where we've got to elevate our play. We're not focused on any of the other things that, frankly, are irrelevant in this moment for our team."

2 Related

Game 2: New York Islanders at Boston Bruins | 7:30 p.m. (Bruins lead 1-0)

Playing in front of a near-capacity crowd in Boston for Game 1, the Bruins put on a show. David Pastrnak has found his scoring touch, scoring a hat trick, as the "Perfection Line" tormented New York's typically stingy defensive structure. Islanders coach Barry Trotz hasn't committed to whether he'll stick with rookie Ilya Sorokin in Game 1, or turn back to veteran Semyon Varlamov. Sorokin gave up four goals on 39 shots in the loss, but his coach gave him a decent endorsement after: "I can't blame him on anything, really," Trotz said. "I was happy with his game." An injury to monitor is that of Bruins second-liner Craig Smith, who suffered an unspecified injury late in Game 1. It's unclear if he'll be available.

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About last night

Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Carolina Hurricanes 1 (Lightning lead 1-0)

The Hurricanes earned home-ice advantage after winning the ultra competitive Central Division, and PNC Arena was rocking for this one. They were generating a decent amount of pressure on Tampa Bay in Game 1 but had a hard time getting anything past goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. Barclay Goodrow scored the go-ahead goal with about seven minutes remaining in the third period. Some bad news for Carolina: Forward Nino Niederreiter is "very, very doubtful" to return in this series, per coach Rod Brind'Amour. Tampa Bay defenseman David Savard was also out for Game 1 (he's day-to-day, per coach Jon Cooper) while Erik Cernak, who left the game leaving the Lightning with just five defensemen, should be OK. Full recap.

play

0:33

Barclay Goodrow scores from a bad angle to hand Tampa Bay a lead it wouldn't relinquish in its 2-1 win over Carolina in Game 1.

Colorado Avalanche 7, Vegas Golden Knights 1 (Avs lead 1-0)

The Avalanche wrapped up their first-round series against the Blues so quickly, they had a full week of rest before this series. They sure looked fresh. Colorado stormed to a 2-0 lead in the first period, then scored four second-period goals to put this well out of question. The top line, led by Nathan MacKinnon, was fantastic. So too was Cale Makar, who assisted on the first three Avs goals. Meanwhile, Vegas coach Peter DeBoer opted for Robin Lehner in net over Marc-Andre Fleury, the latter of whom started every game in Round 1, and it didn't go so well. Lehner was totally hung out to dry, and was roasted for seven goals on 37 shots. "The game tonight wasn't about Robin Lehner," coach Peter DeBoer said. "We didn't play well enough in front of him. Full recap.

Despite what may seem like a professional rivalry to outside observers, Fleury and Lehner continue to maintain a strong relationship:

Marc-Andre Fleury being supportive as Lehner skates off the ice pic.twitter.com/KGEZ83qOOq

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 31, 2021

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Three stars of the night

Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado star is peaking at the right time. He leads all skaters this postseason with eight playoff goals. Nobody else has more than five.

good lord Nathan MacKinnon pic.twitter.com/cUOyOa4aYq

— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) May 31, 2021

Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche

Makar posted first career four-point playoff game. It was a goal and three assists, and some of them were absolute beauties.

That pass from Cale Makar pic.twitter.com/r20B4qEvLc

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 31, 2021

Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning

The 26-year-old continues to be a level above his peers as the best goaltender in the NHL. Vasilevskiy stopped 37 of 38 shots (.974 save percentage) to become the difference maker for Tampa in the Game 1 win.

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Pump-up of the day

The Canes increased their crowd capacity to 16,000-plus for the second round -- and they got everyone riled up with legendary emergency backup goalie David Ayres sounding the siren.

Had to know we'd tie it up with DAVE AYRES on the siren! pic.twitter.com/Ce1FYvpCGe

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 30, 2021

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Mindset of the day

Longtime Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno joined the Maple Leafs at this year's trade deadline. He knows past playoff failures weigh on Toronto and its fans, but he sounded unburdened. Here's how Foligno sees the Leafs approaching Monday's game:

"Don't worry about what the fans are saying. It doesn't matter. This happens for a reason. Sometimes this is what catapults you. It's hard for the fan base to hear right now, but we're going to come and have the mindset that we're going to win a hockey game."

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2021-05-31 11:19:52Z
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Kawhi Leonard Postgame Interview - Game 4 - Clippers vs Mavericks | 2021 NBA Playoffs - House of Highlights

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2021-05-31 05:14:21Z
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Luka Doncic Postgame Interview - Game 4 - Clippers vs Mavericks | 2021 NBA Playoffs - House of Highlights

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2021-05-31 04:14:23Z
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Landeskog on Reaves’ match penalty: ‘He’s on a mission to hurt someone’ - Sportsnet.ca

With the sore 6-1 (soon to be 7-1) and the Vegas Golden Knights' chances to win Game 1 long over, Ryan Reaves was assessed a match penalty for intent to injure.

The altercation occurred in front of the Colorado Avalanche net. After the puck was covered, Reaves skated toward the crease and crosschecked Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer in the back of the head. In the ensuing scrum, Reaves threw Ryan Graves to the ice and kneed him in the face.

"I don't know if you can call that physicality. Reaves, he's on a mission to hurt someone in the third," Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said after the game. "That’s what he goes out and does. I’m sure the league will take a look at it. It was intent to injure."

The match penalty, which triggers an automatic review for suspension by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, gave the Avalanche a nine-minute power play to end the game. It was the second such infraction Reaves has been given in the last two years.

A total of 74 penalty minutes were assessed between the two teams in Game 1.

The influx began in the second period. With the Avalanche leading 4-0, Golden Knights forward Mattias Janmark took a shoulder-to-chest hit from Graves at the 8:26 mark, sending him into the boards. Janmark was helped off the ice and Graves was given a minor penalty for interference. Shortly after, Golden Knights forward William Carrier later took back-to-back roughing penalties, first on Cale Makar and then on Graves.

"It's a playoff series, seven games, the game's out of reach and they were going to try to come and play physical," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "I think that's to be expected, I think our guys knew that coming into it. I had no problem with the way they played when it comes to that.

"The only play that I really didn't like that was out of the context of the game was the Reaves play on Graves when he was down. Besides that, I think there was some big hits thrown, some clean hits, some of them were a little high and a little late. Besides that, I didn't see anything that was too crazy for playoff time -- except I didn't like that play with Reaves at the end."

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2021-05-31 03:59:00Z
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Second Round, Gm 1: Lightning @ Hurricanes 5/30/21 | NHL Highlights - NHL

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2021-05-31 00:10:47Z
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Goodrow scores late to give Lightning Game 1 win over Hurricanes - Sportsnet.ca

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Barclay Goodrow beat Alex Nedeljkovic for the go-ahead goal at 12:39 of the third period to help the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Sunday night to open their second-round playoff series.

Goodrow put the reigning Stanley Cup champions ahead for good when he headed left against Carolina defenceman Brady Skjei, then shot from a sharp angle on the left side. The puck skid underneath Nedeljkovic's right pad as it lifted slightly off the ice near the post to break a 1-1 tie.

That lead held, with the Lightning holding off Carolina's final minute with the empty net and extra attacker in a desperate tying attempt.

Instead, the Lightning won a road series opener for the second straight round. The Lightning swept the first two games at Florida in that six-game first-round series.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night.

Brayden Point added a second-period goal on the power play for Tampa Bay, while Andrei Vasilevskiy was sharp all day with 37 saves -- including 15 in the first period against the Hurricanes buzzing out of the gate backed by a rowdy home crowd of more than 16,000.

Jake Bean scored on the power play to tie it early in the third period for Carolina, notching his first career playoff assist. The Hurricanes, who have home-ice advantage after winning the Central Division, also got another solid performance from Nedeljkovic with 28 saves.

INJURY REOPRT

Tampa Bay didn't have defenceman David Savard for this one due to an upper-body injury. Then the Lightning saw fellow blue-liner Erik Cernak go down when he got sandwiched between Carolina's Andrei Svechnikov and Victor Trocheck in a collision near the boards at 18:15 of the second.

Cernak eventually got up and skated slowly to the tunnel, leaving the Lightning with five defencemen.

Carolina winger Nino Niederreiter sat out with an upper-body injury after leaving Saturday's practice early. And that opened a space for Cedric Paquette to make his playoff debut for Carolina -- and against his former Lightning teammates after spending 2014-20 with the franchise.

LOUDER HOUSE

The NHL had approved an increased attendance for PNC Arena with the installation of a 500-ton chiller to increase air flow while ensuring integrity of the ice despite the rising temperatures outside.

Carolina had about 5,000 fans to close the regular season, then upped that to about 12,000 for the Nashville series after the state eased public-gathering and physical distancing restrictions. The official figure for Games 1 and 2 of this series is 16,299, roughly 87 per cent of the building's normal 18,680-fan capacity.

STORM WARNING

David Ayres -- the Zamboni driver and kidney-transplant recipient who memorably won a 2020 game in Toronto for the Hurricanes as the emergency goaltender -- sounded the storm-warning siren for the Hurricanes to take the ice for the third period.

Hurricanes TV colour announcer Tripp Tracy along with North Carolina State women's tennis players Jaeda Daniel and Alana Smith -- who helped the Wolfpack reach the national semifinals -- sounded the pregame and first-intermission sirens.

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2021-05-31 00:09:00Z
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Betting Strategies For Game 7 Between Maple Leafs & Canadiens | Picks In Deep - SPORTSNET

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2021-05-30 23:47:42Z
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