Leafs have Lightning on brink

Tampa Bay’s resilience and Toronto’s lack of recent postseason success are welldocumented.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning are 17-0 in games following a playoff loss over the past three postseasons. They’re facing possible elimination for only the second time since the start of the 2020 playoffs.

The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, haven’t won a playoff series since 2004.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper is confident his team will respond at home in today’s Game 6. He also acknowledged it’s difficult to imagine the Leafs’ playoff futility isn’t lingering in the back of their minds.

“I’m sure they’re thinking about that,” Cooper said. “Is there pressure on them? No doubt. We’ve been in some of these situations. We have won these types of games before. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to.”

The Maple Leafs expect a strong response from the Lightning, but feel good about their chances of finishing the job.

“We believe we’ve got the right mix and all the right things happening to have the confidence to go out and play well,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “(But) that doesn’t make the challenge any easier.”

BRUINS LOOK TO EXTEND SEASON >> The home teams have been in control of Boston-Carolina series. That’s a reason for Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, whose team is down 3-2, to feel confident about his team’s chances of extending the season in today’s Game 6.

“For us, we need to win a home game,” Cassidy said. “That’s all that’s in front of us right now.”

GRIT WORKING FOR BLUES >> For all the high-scoring games St. Louis enjoyed this season, the series against Minnesota has proven the Blues are at their best when they use their grit and go hard at the net.

St. Louis has a 3-2 lead because of it.

“It’s nice to make plays and create some opportunities, but in playoffs, sometimes it’s tight,” said the Blues’ Vladimir Tarasenko. “Teams check pretty well.”