Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Leafs' struggles in series-clinching games continue in Game 5 loss to Lightning

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/27/23

The Toronto Maple Leafs squandered a golden opportunity to close out the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night, increasing the clubs' long streak of coming up short in potential series-clinching games.

After falling to the Lightning 4-2 in Game 5, Toronto moves to 0-11 since 2013 when it has the opportunity to advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, per Sportsnet Stats.

Over the Leafs' decade of futility in potential series-clinchers, they've been outscored 44-23 by opponents, scoring only twice in 24 times on the powerplay while allowing teams to score 66.7 percent of the time while on the man advantage.

While not responsible for the entire stretch of failure, the Leafs' inability to finish the job is starting to rub off on this year's squad. When asked if the team is wondering what it will take to win an elimination game, Morgan Rielly told Chris Johnston of TSN, "Always, until it happens."

The Maples Leafs struck first in Game 5 thanks to a goal from Rielly 5:46 into the opening period. However, it was all Tampa from there.

BETTER CALL PAUL ☎️ pic.twitter.com/SEIRlz7m6g
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 28, 2023

The Lightning led 3-1 midway through the third after a goal from Nicholas Paul, but Auston Matthews breathed life back into the Leafs, scoring at 16:26 to cut the deficit to one. Ultimately, Toronto couldn't tally the equalizer, and Alex Killorn sealed the Lightning victory with an empty-netter with five seconds to go.

At the very least, Toronto will have two more chances to advance past the Lightning. Though to avoid a deciding Game 7 at home, they'll need to end things on Saturday when the series returns to Tampa Bay for Game 6.

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