Leafs rally, top Lightning in OT for 3-1 series lead
Auston Matthews knows as well as anyone that Toronto's job is not finished. The Maple Leafs took advantage of another late collapse by the Tampa Bay Lightning, moving to the brink of their first playoff series win in nearly two decades on Monday night with a 5-4 overtime win in Game 4 of the best-of-seven matchup. Alex Killorn scored twice in helping the Lightning build a 4-1 lead that the Maple Leafs erased with three goals – two by Matthews – in a span of 6 minutes, 20 seconds. Toronto has not won a playoff series since 2004 and has been ousted from the first round each of the past six postseasons, including a year ago when Tampa Bay rallied from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits to advance in seven games. “The fourth one is the hardest to get,” Matthews said after Alexander Kerfoot scored on the power play at 4:14 of overtime to give the Maple Leafs a 3-1 series lead. Morgan Rielly's second goal of the series tied it 4-all at 16:04 of the third period. The Lightning have won 11 of 12 playoff series over the past three postseasons, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final three straight years and winning the championship twice. “We know what we're up against, what they've accomplished” Matthews said. It was the second time in three nights Toronto rallied late to force overtime. Ryan O'Reilly's goal with 60 seconds left in regulation kept the Maple Leafs alive in Game 3, and O'Reilly won it at 19:45 of OT for a 2-1 series lead. (AP)