The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning will never be mistaken for Philadelphia’s Stanley Cup-winning Broad Street Bullies of the 1970s.

Auston Matthews and Steven Stamkos dropping their gloves and fighting in a playoff game, though, is highly unusual for a pair of NHL stars better known for offensive prowess than displaying toughness with their fists.

It also speaks to the heightened stakes of the postseason, where the Maple Leafs hold a 2-1 series lead over the Lightning heading into Game 4 matchup tonight.

“Sometimes there’s a time and place for that, so you gotta stickup for yourself,” said Matthews, who before clashing with Stamkos during Toronto’s 4-3 overtime victory in Game 3 couldn’t recall ever exchanging punches with an opponent.

“Fair share of practice scuffles and stuff like that, but not really” a fight in a NHL game, the 60-goal scorer added.

This is the second straight year the Maple Leafs have held a 2-1 lead on the Lightning at this point in the first round. Tampa Bay eventually prevailed in seven games last spring, extending Toronto’s long stretch of postseason futility. The Maple Leafs haven’t won a playoff series since 2004.

DEVILS vs. RANGERS >> The Rangers will look turn things around after an overtime loss in Game 3 at home.

Special-teams play has been a factor in each of the first three games and will likely be important again.

The Rangers were 4 for 10 with the advantage over the first two games — a pair of 5-1 wins on the road — but were shut down on five opportunities when the series shifted to Madison Square Garden for Game 3.

“We knew this was going to be a challenge,” Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said. “It’s never easy winning four games. It’s a long series.”

GOLDEN KNIGHTS vs. JETS >> Vegas is aiming for a commanding 3-1 lead in their series against Winnipeg.

While both teams look to recover from the physical toll of Game 3, which ended less than four minutes into the second overtime, Vegas is also focused on finishing strong after squandering a three-goal lead in the third period Saturday.

“You live and you learn,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said, adding the Golden Knights’ vast playoff experience should benefit Vegas preparing for Game 4 and beyond.

Rebounding will not be easy for the Jets, who will without All-Star defenseman Josh Morrisey for the remainder of the series.

AVALANCHE vs. KRAKEN >> Now that the hoopla surrounding the first home playoff game in Kraken history is out of the way, the question turns to whether Seattle can rebound and even the series after Colorado has been the better team most of the past two games.

It would help Seattle if its top scorers from the regular season can get going.

Jared McCann scored 40 goals in the regular season but has barely had looks at net. Vince Dunn had a career season with 64 points, but has yet to pick up a point through three games. Of Seattle’s top eight points producers, only Jaden Schwartz and Matty Beniers have scored goals.

The Avalanche, who hold a 2-1 lead, seem to have all their stars — Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar or Mikko Rantanen — aligning.