Toronto Maple Leafs Have Set the Tone for Series with Tampa

Going into the series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to set the tone early.

They did not waste any time doing so in game one. The first period of game one was one of the best periods the Toronto Maple Leafs played all year.

Fans and reporters can say whatever they want about the hit by Kyle Clifford. Yes, that hit earned him a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct, but it set the tone. Toronto will not be a team that the Lightning can push around.

What happened after that hit was even more impressive. Toronto’s penalty killers were able to kill off that five-minute penalty. They were lights out and gave Tampa’s power play fits all night. Tampa…