2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Boston Bruins' decision to turn into the late-70s Montréal Canadiens essentially sealed the deal on the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning meeting each other in the first round of the NHL playoffs pretty much right off the hop.

It's a repeat of last year's first-round series, when the Leafs once again fumbled the bag, allowing the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning to take Game 6 in overtime before twisting the dagger in Game 7.

The Maple Leafs have had a year since to single-mindedly prepare for this series, and they've done so by altering their team's systems and philosophy while strengthening their defensive bona fides with some physical players built for playoff hockey.

The Lightning, on the other hand, have taken the “keep doin’ what you’re doin'” credo to