Struggling Leafs captain John Tavares sounds off after Game 4 loss

The Toronto Maple Leafs squandered an opportunity to take a 3-1 stranglehold on their opening round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning, falling by a 7-3 final score to their hosts. The series is now a best-of-three as Game 5 shifts back to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. 

One name that has been conspicuously absent from the scoresheet has been Leafs captain John Tavares, who has yet to register a point in the first four games of the series. And there's nobody more aware of his offensive slump than he is. 

"I mean, I haven't been able to produce offensively as I'd like and I would still like to create more offensively," he said following the Game 4 loss. "I expect more and want to be better."

The Leafs found themselves trailing by a 3-0 score not even ten minutes into the first period. Goaltender Jack Campbell, who was spectacular in the Game 3 victory, was yanked after allowing five goals on 16 shots. 

“They were extremely aggressive and pressing up extremely hard early,” Tavares continued. “Our level of execution and detail needs to be strong through that to break through that pressure. That allows us to really get our game going and get them chasing."

Fans will remember that it also wasn't exactly the greatest offensive output for Tavares during the regular season, as he finished with only 39 even strength points. For head coach Sheldon Keefe, he's staying positive with his captains work ethic on the ice, though acknowledging that it's been a "tough" go of it. 

"He’s working, he’s trying. It’s tough, it’s a tough series out there," Keefe said of Tavares. 

The Leafs and Lightning will get back at it tomorrow night. And Tavares knows it's a prime chance to get back on track. 

“Just know the way we’ve played for many stretches throughout this series, even for parts of (Game 4), and certainly mostly in the games that we’ve won,” he said. “A chance to regroup.”