Spezza's leadership proves key as Maple Leafs push Lightning to brink of eliminationAuston Matthews scored the winner with 6:06 left in regulation as the Toronto Maple Leafs recovered from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on Tuesday to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.

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Veteran forward's locker room talk helps engage Toronto following poor 1st period

Joshua Clipperton · The Canadian Press(Alex Lupul/CBC)comments

Jason Spezza stood up in the Maple Leafs locker room following another disastrous start.

The veteran forward — potentially in the midst of a final Stanley Cup shot in his 19th NHL season — spoke about the margin for error getting smaller and smaller against the two-time defending champions.

Toronto desperately needed to pick it up.

The team's big guns, with the help of gutsy efforts up and down the lineup, responded in kind.

• BOXSCORE: Maple Leafs 4, Lightning 3

• Struggling Maple Leafs captain Tavares looking to 'create more' in 1st-round series

Auston Matthews scored the winner with 6:06 left in regulation as the Leafs recovered from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on Tuesday and take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.

"Spezz really spoke well," said Toronto captain John Tavares, who scored his team's first goal early in the second period and assisted on Morgan Rielly's effort in the third that tied the score 2-2.

"We obviously needed to find another level."

WATCH | Matthews' winner caps Maple Leafs comeback win:

Matthews scores winner as Maple Leafs rally to defeat Lightning

20 hours agoDuration 1:09Toronto beats Tampa Bay 4-3 with Auston Matthews' game-winning goal and takes a 3-2 series lead in their first round series.TEAM PAGE: Tampa Bay Lightning

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