Lightning's chase for another Cup begins vs Maple Leafs

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Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning understand the difficult challenge that lies ahead for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.

The team’s quest for a third straight NHL title begins on the road Monday night against the Auston Matthews-led Toronto Maple Leafs, who had a terrific regular season but have yet to prove they have what it takes to be successful in the playoffs.

While the Lightning’s experience on hockey’s grandest stage has served them well during back-to-back championship runs, the Maple Leafs haven’t won a playoff series since 2004. This is the first-ever postseason meeting between the Atlantic Division rivals.

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Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer on the team as they exit the ice after defeating the Boston Bruins in an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Friday, April 29, 2022.  (Aaron Vincent Elkaim/The Canadian Press via AP)

"It’s been a long-time coming. We haven't played them. For me, it’s not going to change anything. We’ve got a job to do and that’s to win some games here in the playoffs no matter the opponent," said Stamkos, who grew up just outside of Toronto rooting for the Maple Leafs.

"For sure there’s going to be a lot of hype coming into this round. But our group is a mature group," the Lightning captain added. "We know how to handle a lot of different situations come playoff time, and we’ll have to lean on our experience here."

With Matthews becoming the first player to score 60 goals in a season since Stamkos did it 10 years ago, Toronto set club records for victories (54) and points (115), finishing second in the Atlantic behind the Presidents’ Trophy-winning