The Lightning defenseman clarified comments he said were translated and taken out of context but then took another dig at Toronto's lack of playoff success.
TAMPA — Mikhail Sergachev is up to it again.
The Russian defenseman and his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates are set to renew their rivalry at Amalie Arena on Saturday. On Friday, TSN's Mark Masters asked Sergachev about his thoughts on meeting the Maple Leafs again following Tampa's practice.
First, Sergachev re-clarified comments that he claims were a result of a poor translation he did with Russian news outlet Sport24 about Toronto's celebration after eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs.
The Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning in six games to win their first playoff series in 19 years. Sergachev was asked on Friday what he will remember most about the series?
"Probably that we lost and (had) a long summer. So, yeah. That's probably what they feel every year."
Before their 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Lightning had gone to the Cup finals in three consecutive seasons. The jab by Sergachev to the Leafs can only add fuel to a rivalry that is now firmly established given the intense playoffs series these teams have enjoyed over the last two years.
"Every game against Tampa feels like high emotion," Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano told reporters on Saturday morning. "It'll be intense."
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