Maple Leafs' rare historic first-shot streak mirrors the 2021 Stanley Cup-winning Lightning
Photo credit: Reuters/USA Today
With Bobby McMann's goal 53 seconds into the game, the Maple Leafs scored their third straight goal on their first shot, echoing Tampa's Stanley Cup run in 2021.
The Toronto Maple Leafs seem like a team possessed recently, as they have come out swinging, and ride back home fresh off the heels of a three-game win streak and a lot of that has to do with the emergence of Toronto's third line.
While they are certainly a catalyst for the offense, with a dozen points over the last three games, it's been the speed of Toronto's goal-scoring prowess that's turning heads.
How the Maple Leafs matched a first-shot streak only the 2021 Lightning pulled off
Bobby McMann was the hero this time around to kick things off for the Maple Leafs on Thursday and in doing so, created a bit of history in the process.
With his goal, Toronto now has scored on their first shot of the game in three consecutive contests, matching a rare first-shot streak last seen with the 2021 Tampa Bay Lightning, who went on to win the Stanley Cup that season.
Toronto also got goals from Troy Stecher, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, so it's a great sign that the defense is not only contributing, but doing so consistently.
This by no means gives credence to the fact that the Maple Leafs are going to not only go to the Stanley Cup Finals, nonetheless win; but it shows that if the Maple Leafs continue to be dominant out the gate, they are building up a foundation for success.
Are the Maple Leafs actually starting better, or just riding a hot streak?
Let's not jump the gun, the Maple Leafs are certainly riding a hot streak and getting a lot of things falling into place for them right now, however there are still some concerns.
Both Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo are still out long-term, meanwhile the jury is still out on Anthony Stolarz, and Joseph Woll just left Thursday's game with an apparent lower-body injury.
The team admittedly has performed quite well under the pressure, and playing together as a cohesive unit consistently for the first time this season. They are playing tighter defense, capitalizing on chances, and actually using their size.
It's easy to say that Toronto is doing much better, however they also had pretty bad losses to both Montreal and Washington on their road trip, so it's not like they were perfect.
But if what we've seen recently is any indication, it may be more than just a hot streak for the Maple Leafs, and not just what feels like a Christmas miracle.
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