The Stanley Cup Final is coming early to the Eastern Conference. At least, that’s what many are trying to make us believe. It’s more of a battle for the Presidents’ Trophy or a fight for bragging rights in the Atlantic Division. Either way, it’s Leafs and Lightning tonight, and we should be hyped for it.

The game can go one of two ways:

  1. Touchdown Exchange
  2. The Perfect (Coach) Game

Not only do Tampa and the Leafs sit one and two respectively in the overall league standings, but in goals for as well. Both teams have their number of offensive scoring stars making route one all the more likely. However, Mike Babcock has a way with words and could spark the Leafs to that patented 2-1 victory coaches around the NHL strive for.

Heck, I’ll take either option as long as the Leafs have the last celly after the final buzzer.

William Nylander earned his first point of the season against the Carolina Hurricanes, maybe he adds his first goal to keep the positivity going. The same goes for Morgan Rielly who set a career high in goals, scoring his 10th.

We can talk about the fancy numbers, but Rielly is seven goals away from reigning Norris winner Victor Hedman’s total last season. Just saying... ’Rielly4Norris’ is very much alive.

And what about Auston Matthews? He didn’t score a goal in Carolina, what’s up with that!? He was probably saving his best for tonight so it’s fair to expect at least two from him (he says optimistically).

All jokes aside, I’m really interested to see how many goals are scored. And if it takes an angry Babcock and some nervous sweats while watching to get an offensive show, I’ll gladly   pay the price.

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How many total goals are scored tonight?

552
7130
965
1052
Only 1!29
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