Round 2 is here and the Panthers will face the Toronto Maple Leafs.
If you were to ask me how many times these two teams have met in the postseason the past 10 years, I would have said more than two. It certainly feels that way, right? Actually, this is only the second time these two clubs will meet in the playoffs, with the first time coming in 2023 when Florida bounced Toronto out of the first round.
I don’t know…I find that stat kind of surprising considering the rosters of both teams for the past few years.
Anyways…
This should be an awesome series. The Leafs have so much talent upfront with guys like Matthews, Knies, Tavares, Marner, Domi, etc. Not to mention getting good goaltending from former-Cat Anthony Stolarz. Their goaltending is no longer a major weak point.
This series will be a clash of styles. Toronto seems to possess the silky smooth talent that is capable of consistent highlight reel scoring and can make guys look silly (especially that core four); while Florida has high end talent and plays a physical/grinding game.
The Cats will be without Ekblad for one more night as he serves the second game of his suspension tonight.
My Prediction
I think the Leads come out flying tonight, but the Cats weather storm and wear them down by putting the body on them early and often.
There may be a bit of a “feeling out” phase the first few minutes of the first period as they get an idea of what one another is bringing.
I expect Tkachuk, Bennett and Marchand to be in full-pest mode to work on the skilled TOR players in an attempt to throw them off their game.
Have to keep an eye on OEL, who revamped his game during his time with Florida and now in Toronto. He picks his spots really well for some high caliber scoring opportunities. He has certainly adjusted his game as he’s aged. Not as much end-to-end rushing, instead substituting that for a more defensive-minded and physical approach.
Cats should dictate the pace through use of the body, and they should do everything they can to stay out of the box and avoid that loaded Leafs PP unit.
Gotta get to the crowd early and take them out of it. It’s always a hot crowd in Toronto, but a couple quick goals can turn that arena into a library and lay the seeds of playoff doubt in the mind of the Maple Leafs faithful.
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This series is going to rule…Go Panthers!
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