“Gives us confidence out there” – Maple Leafs’ Jack Campbell delivers ‘game-saving save’ in Game 3 against Lightning
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Jack Campbell
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell came in the way of Tampa Bay Lightning skipper Steven Stamkos’ aim to evaporate the 3-2 lead they conceded on Friday. The 30-year-old made the biggest save in the Game 3 of the best-of-seven playoffs series between two sides at Amalie Arena.
The Toronto side didn’t stop here as his side went on to clinch a 5-2 lead in the Stanley Cup and gain the lead in the series. “There was a sense on the bench that it was going in,” Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said while talking about the game, as quoted by NHL.com.
With Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin in the penalty box for hooking, Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov found a lane and sent a cross-ice pass to Stamkos. The latter patented a slap shot, however, Campbell was able to get across the crease and made a sprawling save without producing a rebound.
“Our team’s been playing so well in front of me”
Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is considered by many to be the best goaltender in the world, has allowed 11 goals on 100 shots (.890 save percentage) through the first three games of the series. On the other hand, Campbell has allowed seven goals on 92 shots (.924 save percentage).
“I think it’s human nature that, as an athlete, you want to be the best you can be,” Campbell said. “Obviously, ‘Vasy’ has proven how good he is over the course of his NHL career. So it’s a fun challenge. And I’d be lying if I said I don’t want to do my best to beat him.”
He added: “Thankfully, our team’s been playing so well in front of me and scoring a lot of goals. It’s been huge for us. Sometimes with the quality that Tampa has, they’re going to make great plays,” Campbell said. “He made a great play there, and fortunately it stayed out.”
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Sachin Arora
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