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Not since the spring of 2004 have the Maple Leafs won a playoff series.
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With a 4-0 victory in Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, the Leafs are on the brink of changing that narrative.
One more win in the best-of-seven will do it, as the Leafs have taken a firm grip with a 3-1 series lead versus their Original Six rivals and head home full of confidence for Game 5 on Thursday.
MONTREAL The Canadiens are just one loss away from seeing their 2021 campaign end. Alex Galchenyuk had a goal and two assists, Jack Campbell stopped 32 shots and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated Montreal 4-0 in Game 4 of their first round series at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night. The Maple Leafs lead the series 3-1. They will have their first chance to close the books on Thursday in Toronto. The Habs offence was stuck in neutral on Tuesday. It has generated only four goals so far in the series, three at even strength and one shorthanded. At the other end of the ice, Carey Price continued to do a good job. He made 24 saves.
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Knowing they’d be forced to play two games in as many nights when they arrived in Montreal, the Maple Leafs, as an organization, probably would have settled for a split, knowing they’d have regained home-ice advantage in their North Division series.
Instead, after winning on Monday, 41-year-old Joe Thornton became the oldest player in Leafs history to score a playoff goal Tuesday. His linemate, Jason Spezza, a relative youngster at 37, added a goal and assist.
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Campbell made 28 saves, including all 15 shots he faced in the third, as the Maple Leafs hung on to beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 and take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Monday. All the credit in the world has to go to Jack Campbell, said Toronto defenceman Morgan Rielly, who solved Price on the winner in the second period. He was an absolute warrior for us. Down the home stretch he was outstanding. He s been there for us all year and tonight was no different. He s an absolute stud.
Campbell has allowed four goals and owns a .951 save percentage through nine periods in the series, and was under siege late as the Canadiens desperately pressed for an equalizer.
Updated May 24
NHL roundup: Islanders beat Penguins in 2 OTs to take a 3-2 series lead
Josh Bailey scores the winning goal 51 seconds into the second OT as New York wins, 3-2.
Associated Press
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Josh Bailey celebrates his winning goal in the second overtime in Game 5 Monday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Pittsburgh.
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press
PITTSBURGH New York’s Josh Bailey took advantage of a sloppy giveaway by Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry, sending the puck into the wide-open net 51 seconds into the second overtime to give the Islanders a 3-2 victory in Game 5 on Monday night.