Lightning's Sergachev Sounds Off About Maple Leafs' Short Playoff Run

The rivalry between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs just got a little more interesting. The teams have played each other in consecutive first rounds, Toronto getting the better of Tampa Bay last season. That didn't sit well with Mikhail Sergachev as he spoke with Russian outlet Sport24 about the Maple Leafs.

Sergachev said, "Wow, (Toronto) wins one series in 19 years then immediately loses. They deserve no credit. No other team would celebrate such a thing." He went on to say that the Lightning statistically outplayed the Maple Leafs in that series, but also noted that it was the other way around the season prior when the Lightning eliminated Toronto.

The Lightning defenseman also went on to say, "I don't want to give the Maple Leafs any credit for the win, they don't deserve it. They won a single series that they deserved to lose. I don't see any reason for joy amongst the fans or team." It was definitely an odd look celebrating as much as they did. There are a ton of die-hard fans and it was a step in the right direction getting over the hump, but they have been labeled as a Stanley Cup contender for the past five-plus years and have won one series in that time.

The Maple Leafs have a lot of work to do and will likely have to get by the Lightning again if they want to advance deeper into the postseason.