Tavares’ OT goal gives Maple Leafs series win over Lightning - Terrace Standard

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally advanced in the NHL playoffs, and coach Sheldon Keefe struggled to find the right words to capture the moment.

Ending a frustrating drought that included first-round exits each of the past six years, the Maple Leafs won the best-of-seven matchup in six games and advanced to Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston or Florida. The Bruins and Panthers play Game 7 of their first-round series on Sunday in Boston.

The loss, meanwhile, ends Tampa Bay’s run of three consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Final. The Lightning won back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021, and then lost to the Colorado Avalanche in six games last year. “This team hasn’t lost a playoff series against the Eastern Conference since 2019. It’s 2023,” Cooper said. “We’re not used to this feeling.”

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