Event of the Day: Tampa Bay Lightning versus Toronto Maple Leafs
Our event of the day is the NHL matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. With both teams flying high in the Eastern Conference, we’re all set for an exciting contest. The Lightning have already secured their place in the playoffs whilst the Maple Leafs still need a few more wins to ensure they join them. All the signs are good for Toronto who head into this game off the back of four wins on the bounce, beating the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 last time out.
Curtis McElhinney made 33 saves for his third shutout of the season while their goals came from Andreas Johnsson, William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen and Nazem Kadri. Tampa Bay, along with Nashville, are the only teams to have so far secured their playoff spots and the Lightning boast the highest goal tally in the entire league to date. Tampa’s early qualification can in part be put down to some strong recent form, winning 10 out of their previous 13 games. Having now secured their qualification, it’s important for Tampa Bay to maintain their form not just to carry it through towards the playoffs, but to ensure they can secure home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. With two in form teams and plenty on the line, this is sure to be an exciting matchup.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA game between the Portland Trailblazers and the Houston Rockets at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Houston have already clinched the Southwest Division and are unbeaten in five whilst Portland are the hottest team in the NBA at the moment, winning 13 in a row. Other exciting matchups in the NBA see the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Los Angeles Clippers while the Boston Celtics play the Oklahoma City Thunder. Elsewhere in the NHL, the Washington Capitals play the Dallas Stars and the New Jersey Devils are in California to face the San Jose Sharks. In cricket’s ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier the Super Sixes continue as Afghanistan take on the United Arab Emirates and the West Indies Womens tour of New Zealand continues with the 3rd T20I. In Tennis, it’s the WTA Miami Open Day 1 whille Snooker’s Ladbrokes Players Championship in Llandudno has its second day.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by NHL