With their backs against the wall, the Maple Leafs had no margin for error. Another loss at Sunrise and everyone would quickly forget that they had managed to reach the second round for the first time since 2004. Last night at the FLA Live Arena, the Torontonians avoided the affront of a sweep by traversing the Panthers’ measure for a 2-to-1 score.
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To survive at least two more days, the Leafs needed the contribution of their top four players: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares. Described by the Toronto press as invisible men, they responded as best they could.
Nylander and Marner scored the target quartet’s first two goals of the encounter.
Nylander used a lucky attack on the referee to score the opening goal through a power play early in the second period.
As for Marner, who was an accomplice in his teammate’s goal, he thwarted Sergei Bobrovsky thanks to a shot from the point midway through the third period.
Speaking of Marner, he’s been in all the fights. Massive attack, outnumbered. In addition to his two points, he broke off opposing attacks and dished out four checks. Not surprisingly, Sheldon Keefe used it extensively (21 min 23 sec).
Tavares perfect
The stakes were high for the Leafs players. And we felt how nervous they were until the Swede scored the opening goal. From then on, they felt more comfortable in possession of the puck.
Additionally, Tavares could have added his touch at the end of the second third by appearing alone in front of Bobrovsky. The Panthers goalie had the last laugh.
It was one of five shots fired by the Leafs captain that game. Notably, he ended the evening with a 100% faceoff win rate (7 out of 7).
Even Matthews sacrifices himself
To increase their chances of a Game 5 at home, Torontonians had to demonstrate a certain sense of urgency. And not just in the opposing zone.
Due to the upper-body injury sustained by Ilya Samsonov in Game 3, Joseph Woll started his playoff career for the first time. He was the first rookie goaltender for the Leafs since Felix Potvin in 1993 to start a game in the spring tournament.
His teammates made sure he was by his side. In front of him they blocked a total of 22 shots. Even Matthews sacrificed himself three times.
The 24-year-old goalie did the rest of the work by saving 24 shots. Sam Reinhart was the only one who betrayed his vigilance. This goal, scored in numerical superiority, provided an exciting conclusion to the game.
It’s up to Tkachuk to play
Obviously, no one expected the Leafs to be shown the exit door in four games. Starting with the Panthers players.
In the morning, nobody in the changing room on the company premises wanted to hear the word “sweep”. We didn’t want to talk about the dryness of Matthews and his company anymore.
In addition, Matthew Tkachuk broke the discussion by reminding the media present at the morning practice session that he too had not achieved the goal since the start of this confrontation.
He will have a chance to remedy in Game 5, scheduled for Friday in Toronto.
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First period
No goal
Penalties: Holl (goal) 18:06
second period
1 goal: William Nylander (3)
(Bunting, Marner) AN-3:29
Penalties: Luostarinen (Flo) 2:12, Barkov (Flo) 8:22, Brodie (Goal) 12:53
third period
2 goal: Mitchell Marner (3)
(McCabe) 10:03
3-Flo: Sam Reinhart (6)
(Tkachuk, Bennett) AN-12:14
Penalties: Kerfoot (goal) 11:10
Shoot the net
Toronto 6 – 15 – 5 – 26 Florida 7 – 9 – 10 – 26
Guardian:
Goal: Joseph Woll (D, 1-1) Flo: Sergei Bobrovsky (P, 6-2)
Numerical advantages:
Goal: 1 to 2, Flo: 1 to 3
Referee:
Jon McIsaac, Gord Dwyer
linesman:
Michel Cormier, Devin Berg
HELP:
19,868