The Maple Leafs could be advancing to the second round of the 2023 NHL playoffs tonight.
Toronto is looking to close out its first-round series against the Lightning on Thursday night, as the two sides meet in Game 5 with the Leafs holding a 3-1 series lead.
The Leafs battled back from down 4-1 in the third period of Game 4 to tie the contest before Alexander Kerfoot completed the comeback in overtime with the game-winning goal. The win allowed Toronto to take a commanding two-game series lead back home for a potential series-winner.
MORE: Watch the 2023 NHL playoffs on TNT with Sling TV
Toronto has failed time after time in recent history to secure a fourth win in a series. The team is 0-10 in series-clinching games dating back to 2018. The 2023 team is aiming to finally win a playoff series, which hasn't been done by a Leafs club since 2004.
"The job's not close to finished," Leafs star Auston Matthews said after the Game 4 win. "We have to refocus, enjoy this one, but obviously the fourth one is the hardest one to win."
The Lightning are aiming to extend the series with a win in Game 5. Despite outplaying the Leafs for a majority of Games 3 and 4, Jon Cooper's crew dropped both contests at home in very un-Lightning-like fashion.
A loss tonight would snap Tampa Bay's three-year run as Eastern Conference champions.
The Sporting News has all you need to know to watch Leafs-Lightning Game 5.
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What channel is Maple Leafs vs. Lightning Game 5 on?
- TV Channel (U.S.): TBS
- TV Channel (Canada): SN, CBC, TVAS
- Live stream (U.S.): TNT app, Sling TV
- Live stream (Canada): SN NOW, CBC Gem, CBC Sports app
The Maple Leafs vs. Lightning Game 5 is set to air live in the United States on TBS. Fans in Canada can watch the action on Sportsnet, CBC or TVA Sports for the French-speaking audience.
For those looking to live stream the game, the TNT app is an option in the United States, in addition to Sling TV, which carries all NHL playoff games on TNT's platforms.
In Canada, streamers can watch the game through SN NOW, CBC Gem or the CBC Sports app.
Maple Leafs vs. Lightning Game 5 start time
- Date: Thursday, April 27
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The Maple Leafs vs. Lightning Game 5 puck drop is set for Thursday, April 27 at 7 p.m. ET.
The game is being played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ont.
Maple Leafs vs. Lightning Game 5 odds
- Puckline: Leafs -1.5 (+173) | Lightning +1.5 (-208)
- Moneyline: Leafs -165 | Lightning +138
- O/U: 6.5
The Leafs enter Game 5 as the favorites at home against the Lightning in the potential clinching game of the series.
Odds provided by Sports Interaction.
Maple Leafs vs. Lightning series schedule
| Date | Site | Time (ET) | TV/Result |
| Tue., April 18 | at Toronto | FINAL | Lightning 7, Maple Leafs 3 |
| Thu., April 20 | at Toronto | FINAL | Maple Leafs 7, Lightning 2 |
| Sat., April 22 | at Tampa Bay | FINAL | Maple Leafs 4, Lightning 3 (OT) |
| Mon., April 24 | at Tampa Bay | FINAL | Maple Leafs 5, Lightning 4 (OT) |
| Thu., April 27 | at Toronto | 7 p.m. | TBS, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| *Sat., April 29 | at Tampa Bay | TBD | TBD |
| *Mon., May 1 | at Toronto | TBD | TBD |
