Tonight, the core delivered.
Auston Matthews: Game-winning goal
Mitch Marner: Set up the game-winning goal
William Nylander: Three points
John Tavares: Two points
Morgan Rielly: Goal
Jack Campbell: Excellent
With the series tied, down two, and the next game to be played in Tampa Bay, they knew the situation, and they delivered. It means very little if they don’t go on to win the series, but on this night, with seemingly so much already on the line, the core delivered. They should be applauded for doing so.
That includes Sheldon Keefe, who is obviously under the microscope, but in this one, his adjustments worked out.