Matt Ross: ROUND 2, GAME 3

Great Blog Matt!
I agree that the Leafs have done a good job at keeping the forward group out of position in the Dzone. Paul Maurice has a structure and its not being enforced enough and the Leafs are winning the battles they just weren't winning in Ottawa, they have done the work to get this point. I can see a very different game happening tonight. Leafs will try to keep the pace high but I think the Panthers will slow things down and change the momentum of the series with game 3. The defensive structure will be on display and the fore check will grind out a couple give away goals tonight. I predict Panthers win 3-1.

Leafs have been beating that forecheck and turning it into odd man rushes the other way. Also a lot of unforced errors by FL that are leading to turnovers and having to hope for Bob to bail them out.
The Panthers best D is the pressure they put on at the other end/neutral zone. The Leafs are beating that too frequently the first two games.
Mo saying there are a couple of “game time decisions” tonight. I imagine Tkachuk is one of them. He’s no where near his normal level.

Pacioretty turns back into a pumpkin as FL starts their comeback tonight

Great Blog Matt!
I agree that the Leafs have done a good job at keeping the forward group out of position in the Dzone. Paul Maurice has a structure and its not being enforced enough and the Leafs are winning the battles they just weren't winning in Ottawa, they have done the work to get this point. I can see a very different game happening tonight. Leafs will try to keep the pace high but I think the Panthers will slow things down and change the momentum of the series with game 3. The defensive structure will be on display and the fore check will grind out a couple give away goals tonight. I predict Panthers win 3-1.
- Tom Dusome

Thanks, and I hope you’re right about that score!

Leafs have been beating that forecheck and turning it into odd man rushes the other way. Also a lot of unforced errors by FL that are leading to turnovers and having to hope for Bob to bail them out.
The Panthers best D is the pressure they put on at the other end/neutral zone. The Leafs are beating that too frequently the first two games.
Mo saying there are a couple of “game time decisions” tonight. I imagine Tkachuk is one of them. He’s no where near his normal level.

Pacioretty turns back into a pumpkin as FL starts their comeback tonight
- Ratsreign

Great insight as always, Rats

Great insight as always, Rats
- Matt Ross

Thanks, Matt.

Olive tweeted the lines
4th line changed to the regular season, pre deadline line
Samoskevich hesitated half a heartbeat, got robbed by Woll, and now is scratched, lol.
He’ll be the guy going in if/when chukky’s groin gives out.


Rodrigues - Barkov - Reinhart
Verhaeghe - Bennett - Tkachuk
Luostarinen - Lundell - Marchand
Greer - Nosek - Gadjovich

Forsling - Ekblad
Mikkola - Jones
Schmidt - Kulikov

Bobrovsky

Rough start…

Keep the big hits coming. Could help change the tide.

Ekblad is always hitting after the whistle, never before

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qgFS4KfETyQ

That would’ve been a crusher to let that one slip away.


Me watching Jones play defense right now

That would’ve been a crusher to let that one slip away.


Me watching Jones play defense right now


- Ratsreign

Keep the big hits coming. Could help change the tide.
- Matt Ross

https://www.instagram.com...n=embed_video_watch_again

Verhaeghe has been hammering defenders on the forecheck

Stop turning the puck over, Leafs are making Florida pay for it.