(Photo: CBC,NHL)
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost last night 2-0 in Sunrise, Florida meaning the Panthers even up this second round contest 2-2. In my article after the Leafs went up 2-0 in the series one of the keys to winning games was goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had too be much better, and he did exactly that. The 36 year old future Hall Of Famer posted a 21 save shut out. Do not let the low shot count fool you he made some massive saves including some big saves in the 3rd period off of Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
In this game the Leafs came out very undisciplined taking 4 minor penalties in the first period. This star studded Panthers team had to take advantage of one of these penalties and thats exactly what they did as carter verhaeghe put one in the back of the net too give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. After that the Panthers had countless opportunities but Leafs goalie Jospeh Woll stood on his head the entire game really giving the Leafs a chance to come back in this game. The Leafs how ever did not re pay there goalie as they played a very not good game don’t get me wrong they did have chances but it was no where near enough push back as the Leafs needed.
Late in the 3rd period Sam Bennet who has been a thorn in the side for Toronto all series scores a beautiful goal to seal the victory for the Panthers. https://x.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1921748066014577081.
This game marks a shift in momentum with the Panthers coming back from 2-0 series deficit. Now all the pressure is back on Toronto going into game 5. For Toronto too win game 5 they need to address there disciplinary issues they faced this game, and captain Matthews NEEDS to step it up. He has had about 0 offensive production this series and in 9 games played in his career after the first round he has 0 goals. He needs to wake up in order for Toronto to even have a chance in game 5.
In my opinion i think the series has completely flipped and I just do not see a way in which the Maple Leafs can come back here. Toronto is not a team who plays well under pressure as they have a recent history of blowing leads in the playoffs. Even if Toronto does manage to win game 5 there numbers in closeout games are horrendous and yes they did beat an Ottawa team but even in that game 6 it was shaky, and maybe you can get away with it against an inexperienced team in Ottawa, but playing the defending Stanley Cup champs I don’t think they have it in them.