The Toronto Maple Leafs played an aggressive contest in the first game of the second-round series versus the Florida Panthers, who went on to win the contest by a score of 4-2 in a forechecking affair that had less physicality.
According to coach Paul Maurice, his team can still be better than it was in Game 1.
Even though the Toronto Maple Leafs did well in the disciplinary section, the Leafs’ game just did not take off the way they wanted it to, and because of the slow goal-scoring pace early on, the Panthers made it more difficult for them to get in the game.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to ensure the game goes their way and will definitely have to pull out the win. They would love for this game to be a one-sided affair that will keep them in the series, especially if they wish to stay in the second round and advance.
Will the Toronto Maple Leafs even up the series vs the Florida Panthers?
The Florida Panthers have less pressure on themselves and will look to play with the same gameplay they played with this past Monday evening, as it was a flawless type of tone-setting action, not to mention that the team now has a home-ice advantage.
Looking to go up two games to none in the series will give them the serious push to close out the series in four games and take on the Carolina Hurricanes or the New Jersey Devils.
The Florida Panthers will also be hoping that star forward Matthew Tkachuk will add to his three-point night in the first game played, as he was on a tear in the opening contest versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The gameplay in the second contest will be fast-paced action-packed in my opinion, with the Leafs bringing in more toughness and competitiveness to their game, as well as going back to work with the chemistry that allows them to dominate.
Game 2 will be on TNT at 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 4.