The round one matchup between the Maple Leafs and Lightning is one between two dominant even-strength teams who tend to control their games at 5v5. Both teams ended the season with results above 50% in advanced metrics like Shot Attempt Share (CF%), Unblocked Shot Attempt Share (FF%), Shot Share (SF%), Goal Share (GF%), and Expected Goal Share (xGF%). The Leafs also incorporated a low-to-high pass element to their arsenal that was a cornerstone of Tampa’s powerplay strategy. Tampa BayThe Lightning ended the 2021-22 season with the league’s eighth-best powerplay at a success rate of 23.9%. Similar to the Maple Leafs, Tampa’s PK ended the season on a low, going 73.3% over the final stretch of ten games.

Source: The Nation May 02, 2022 12:22 UTC