Going into the series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to set the tone early.
They did not waste any time doing so in game one. The first period of game one was one of the best periods the Toronto Maple Leafs played all year.
Fans and reporters can say whatever they want about the hit by Kyle Clifford. Yes, that hit earned him a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct, but it set the tone. Toronto will not be a team that the Lightning can push around.