**NHL Playoffs: Lightning Strike Down Maple Leafs in Thrilling Game 7** In a heart-stopping finish to their first-round series, the Tampa Bay Lightning have defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in Game 7, advancing to the next round of the NHL playoffs. The high-intensity matchup saw the Lightning's Nikita Kucherov score the game-winning goal with just over 5 minutes remaining, sending the sold-out crowd into a frenzy. The Maple Leafs, who led the series 3-2 at one point, ultimately fell short in their bid for a playoff upset. The Lightning's victory sets up a potential showdown with the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
