Here we are. We&#8217;ve made it. Game Seven between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.
How are you feeling?
Tonight can either be spent hugging your loved ones and people on the street as the seconds tick down to a Maple Leafs win, or it can end like the last nine elimination games have — in defeat.
The closer we get to puck drop on Saturday night, the larger the nerves get. This game won&#8217;t only be watched by Maple Leafs and Lightning fans, but every fan in across the hockey universe. This game is massive.
Every player on the Maple Leafs must be on the top of their game because the Lightning are going to come out just as hard. Tonight will be a tsunami of emotions for everyone — win or lose.
It&#8217;s the Maple Leafs&#8217; biggest game in a very long time.
<h2>The lines</h2>
Both teams will enter Game Seven with the same lineups they had on Thursday night.
If you missed the game, or missed what the lineup looked like, here&#8217;s how the Maple Leafs&#8217; lines shape up ahead of Saturday night&#8217;s do-or-die game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Leafs</a> line rushes during morning skate May 14/22
Bunting-Matthews-Marner Mikheyev-Tavares-Kerfoot Nylander-Kampf-Engvall Spezza-Blackwell-Kase Extra: Clifford, Simmonds, Anderson
Rielly-Lyubushkin Muzzin-Brodie Giordano-Holl Sandin-Liljegren
Campbell Kallgren Mrazek
&mdash; David Alter (@dalter) <a href="https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1525485186699472898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If you&#8217;re wondering what any of the Maple Leafs had to say prior to Game Seven, it&#8217;s all very encouraging. Each of the players and Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe are excited for the opportunity.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Marner, on if this team thought too much about the past and if that was a problem in previous years: “Maybe. I mean, nothing you can do about it now. We’re here for this moment right now. Excited for it.”
&mdash; David Alter (@dalter) <a href="https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1525491016584896513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
William Nylander had the best quote after the morning skate, saying &#8220;We don&#8217;t need to be scared to lose.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Nylander on what was learned in previous do-or-die games: “I think we came out flat, scared to lose. We don’t need to be scared to lose.”
&mdash; David Alter (@dalter) <a href="https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1525494206281703425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Keefe added that this is the most confident he&#8217;s ever been as the head coach of the Maple Leafs. He&#8217;s ready for everything.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Sheldon Keefe&#39;s confidence in the Maple Leafs going into Game 7: 📈 <a href="https://t.co/mueg750feL">pic.twitter.com/mueg750feL</a>
&mdash; The Leafs Nation (@TLNdc) <a href="https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1525505394541576196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Just looking at the way each of them are speaking, it feels like this outcome should be different than past elimination games. They&#8217;re ready for the challenge and not shying away from it.
Speaking of the challenger, here&#8217;s what the Lightning&#8217;s lineup looks like heading into Game Seven.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
a look at the lines …
Palat &#8211; Stamkos &#8211; Kucherov Cirelli &#8211; Point &#8211; Killorn Hagel &#8211; Paul &#8211; Colton Maroon &#8211; Bellemare &#8211; Perry
&mdash; Gabby Shirley (@Gabby_Shirley_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gabby_Shirley_/status/1524760162388615168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
It&#8217;s going to be interesting to see what happens in this game, especially who is the big goal-scorer. Which team will flourish during the most tense moments? Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is ready for anything.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Jon Cooper on balancing the gravity of a Game 7 with enjoying the moment:
&quot;The sun will come up tomorrow. What&#39;s that [famous] line? The thrill of victory and agony of defeat? It&#39;s extremely difficult when you lose&#8230;but damn, is it exhilarating when you win.&quot;
&mdash; Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1525501280411693057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As it&#8217;s gone for every game in this series, Jack Campbell and Andrei Vasilevskiy will be the starters. Similar to last game, it&#8217;s the challenge of getting their save percentage above .900. I believe whoever wins this game will get over that hump.
If you&#8217;re interested in watching tonight&#8217;s game — because why wouldn&#8217;t you be — puck drop is set for just after 7PM ET on CBC in Canada and TNT in the US. For the radio listeners, it&#8217;ll be on TSN1050.
Enjoy tonight. And if they win, boy, enjoy it even more.
More from <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal">TheLeafsNation.com</a>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://theleafsnation.com/2022/05/14/maple-leafs-find-themselves-in-a-familiar-spot-and-need-to-break-the-cycle/" rel="v:url follow" data-wpel-link="internal">Is this time different? A confidence check on the Maple Leafs</a> by Jon Steitzer
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://theleafsnation.com/2022/05/14/tonight-jack-campbell-has-a-unique-chance-at-game-7-redemption/" rel="v:url follow" data-wpel-link="internal">Tonight, Jack Campbell has a unique chance at Game 7 redemption</a> by Kyle Cushman
</li>
<li><a href="https://theleafsnation.com/2022/05/05/it-was-my-15th-season-i-love-playing-in-toronto-and-i-dont-know-rich-clunes-hockey-career-hangs-in-the-balance/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal">‘It was my 15th season, I love playing in Toronto, and I don’t know’ Rich Clune’s hockey-playing career hangs in the balance</a> by Nick Barden</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://join.pointsbet.ca/april-launch-generic?utm_source=Unbounce_Nation_Network_Social&amp;utm_medium=TPB_No_Deposit&amp;utm_campaign=Free_Bet_25_Bet_Insurance_560&amp;utm_term=Unbounce&amp;utm_content=Nation_Network_Social&amp;promo=NHLTBNDPNS" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer external nofollow" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-wpel-link="external">POINTSBET IS LIVE IN ONTARIO</a>
<a href="https://join.pointsbet.ca/april-launch-generic?utm_source=Unbounce_Nation_Network_Social&amp;utm_medium=TPB_No_Deposit&amp;utm_campaign=Free_Bet_25_Bet_Insurance_560&amp;utm_term=Unbounce&amp;utm_content=Nation_Network_Social&amp;promo=NHLTBNDPNS" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="x_gmail-aligncenter x_gmail-size-full x_gmail-wp-image-80254 x_gmail-jetpack-lazy-image x_gmail-jetpack-lazy-image--handled" src="https://i2.wp.com/theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/CC21B948-585B-4DCF-8481-7E1F36149998.jpeg?resize=1424%2C801&amp;ssl=1" alt="" width="894" height="503" data-imagetype="External" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/CC21B948-585B-4DCF-8481-7E1F36149998.jpeg?w=1921&amp;ssl=1 1921w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/CC21B948-585B-4DCF-8481-7E1F36149998.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/CC21B948-585B-4DCF-8481-7E1F36149998.jpeg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/CC21B948-585B-4DCF-8481-7E1F36149998.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/CC21B948-585B-4DCF-8481-7E1F36149998.jpeg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 894px) 100vw, 894px" /></a>
PointsBet Canada has officially launched in Ontario! <a href="https://join.pointsbet.ca/april-launch-generic?utm_source=Unbounce_Nation_Network_Social&amp;utm_medium=TPB_No_Deposit&amp;utm_campaign=Free_Bet_25_Bet_Insurance_560&amp;utm_term=Unbounce&amp;utm_content=Nation_Network_Social&amp;promo=NHLTBNDPNS" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-wpel-link="external">Get more details right here!</a>

Here we are. We've made it. Game Seven between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.

How are you feeling?

Tonight can either be spent hugging your loved ones and people on the street as the seconds tick down to a Maple Leafs win, or it can end like the last nine elimination games have — in defeat.

The closer we get to puck drop on Saturday night, the larger the nerves get. This game won't only be watched by Maple Leafs and Lightning fans, but every fan in across the hockey universe. This game is massive.

Every player on the Maple Leafs must be on the top of their game because the Lightning are going to come out just as hard. Tonight will be a tsunami of emotions for everyone — win or lose.

It's the Maple Leafs' biggest game in a very long time.
<h2>The lines</h2>
Both teams will enter Game Seven with the same lineups they had on Thursday night.

If you missed the game, or missed what the lineup looked like, here's how the Maple Leafs' lines shape up ahead of Saturday night's do-or-die game.

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1525485186699472898?s=20&amp;t=IYEwDp9cWbcIC_52i8zRlQ

If you're wondering what any of the Maple Leafs had to say prior to Game Seven, it's all very encouraging. Each of the players and Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe are excited for the opportunity.

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1525491016584896513?s=20&amp;t=IYEwDp9cWbcIC_52i8zRlQ

William Nylander had the best quote after the morning skate, saying "We don't need to be scared to lose."

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1525494206281703425?s=20&amp;t=IYEwDp9cWbcIC_52i8zRlQ

Keefe added that this is the most confident he's ever been as the head coach of the Maple Leafs. He's ready for everything.

https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1525505394541576196?s=20&amp;t=CCoEwrYUV4S-YYy-dNeLqA

Just looking at the way each of them are speaking, it feels like this outcome should be different than past elimination games. They're ready for the challenge and not shying away from it.

Speaking of the challenger, here's what the Lightning's lineup looks like heading into Game Seven.

https://twitter.com/Gabby_Shirley_/status/1524760162388615168?s=20&amp;t=WoFIhjwmCIUoleAgewkung

It's going to be interesting to see what happens in this game, especially who is the big goal-scorer. Which team will flourish during the most tense moments? Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is ready for anything.

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1525501280411693057?s=20&amp;t=WoFIhjwmCIUoleAgewkung

As it's gone for every game in this series, Jack Campbell and Andrei Vasilevskiy will be the starters. Similar to last game, it's the challenge of getting their save percentage above .900. I believe whoever wins this game will get over that hump.

If you're interested in watching tonight's game — because why wouldn't you be — puck drop is set for just after 7PM ET on CBC in Canada and TNT in the US. For the radio listeners, it'll be on TSN1050.

Enjoy tonight. And if they win, boy, enjoy it even more.

More from <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal">TheLeafsNation.com</a>
<ul>
 	<li>
<a href="https://theleafsnation.com/2022/05/14/maple-leafs-find-themselves-in-a-familiar-spot-and-need-to-break-the-cycle/" rel="v:url follow" data-wpel-link="internal">Is this time different? A confidence check on the Maple Leafs</a> by Jon Steitzer
</li>
 	<li>
<a href="https://theleafsnation.com/2022/05/14/tonight-jack-campbell-has-a-unique-chance-at-game-7-redemption/" rel="v:url follow" data-wpel-link="internal">Tonight, Jack Campbell has a unique chance at Game 7 redemption</a> by Kyle Cushman
</li>
 	<li><a href="https://theleafsnation.com/2022/05/05/it-was-my-15th-season-i-love-playing-in-toronto-and-i-dont-know-rich-clunes-hockey-career-hangs-in-the-balance/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal">‘It was my 15th season, I love playing in Toronto, and I don’t know’ Rich Clune’s hockey-playing career hangs in the balance</a> by Nick Barden</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://join.pointsbet.ca/april-launch-generic?utm_source=Unbounce_Nation_Network_Social&amp;utm_medium=TPB_No_Deposit&amp;utm_campaign=Free_Bet_25_Bet_Insurance_560&amp;utm_term=Unbounce&amp;utm_content=Nation_Network_Social&amp;promo=NHLTBNDPNS" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer external nofollow" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-wpel-link="external">POINTSBET IS LIVE IN ONTARIO</a>

<a href="https://join.pointsbet.ca/april-launch-generic?utm_source=Unbounce_Nation_Network_Social&amp;utm_medium=TPB_No_Deposit&amp;utm_campaign=Free_Bet_25_Bet_Insurance_560&amp;utm_term=Unbounce&amp;utm_content=Nation_Network_Social&amp;promo=NHLTBNDPNS" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" data-wpel-link="external"><img class="x_gmail-aligncenter x_gmail-size-full x_gmail-wp-image-80254 x_gmail-jetpack-lazy-image x_gmail-jetpack-lazy-image--handled" src="https://i2.wp.com/theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/CC21B948-585B-4DCF-8481-7E1F36149998.jpeg?resize=1424%2C801&amp;ssl=1" alt="" width="894" height="503" data-imagetype="External" /></a>

PointsBet Canada has officially launched in Ontario! <a href="https://join.pointsbet.ca/april-launch-generic?utm_source=Unbounce_Nation_Network_Social&amp;utm_medium=TPB_No_Deposit&amp;utm_campaign=Free_Bet_25_Bet_Insurance_560&amp;utm_term=Unbounce&amp;utm_content=Nation_Network_Social&amp;promo=NHLTBNDPNS" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-wpel-link="external">Get more details right here!</a>

Another Maple Leafs Game 7: See you on the other side

Recent articles from Nick Barden

Breaking News