The best team doesn’t always win. The Maple Leafs largely dominated that second game against the Florida Panthers, but couldn’t find the right combination to break through Sergei Bobrovsky’s wall.
• Also read: Tampa Bay Lightning: “My body failed me” – Andrei Vasilevskiy
• Also read: I predicted Gatineau in 7, I screwed up, but no, I don’t have to “take” for the Remparts.
• Also read: Bullying and Abuse: Two players banned from the OHL
The Panthers fended off several attacks from the Leafs in the third half to win 3-2. Paul Maurice’s team took a 2-0 lead in that second round series.
Bobrovsky, who has been described as an overpaid goaltender since arriving in Florida in 2019-20 on an annual salary of $10 million, has been worth his weight in gold lately.
John Tavares and William Nylander are likely to have nightmares when they think of number 72.
In shots on goal, the Leafs led 36-to-29. Even more representative of the night is the shot-attempt stats, 71-to-46 for the formation with the Maple Leaf.
Photo: AFP
Although the view was blocked by Leafs teammates Brandon Montour and Ryan O’Reilly, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky didn’t let himself be distracted in the second half in Toronto yesterday.
The Maple Leafs had the wind in their sails in this game. They were in control 2-0 after five minutes. Alexander Kerfoot, back on the fourth-row wing, and Ryan O’Reilly took turns scoring the goal.
But the Panthers have character. The Bruins spotted it in the first round. The leaves must recognize it now. Before the end of the first period, Anton Lundell had revived the visitors by beating Ilya Samsonov.
Two goals in 66 seconds
Toronto’s house of cards crumbled quickly in the second third. Aleksander Barkov used a gift from Samsonov in the 19th second to equalize. A few seconds later, Gustav Forsling scored his second playoff goal thanks to a nice pass from Matthew Tkachuk.
After 66 seconds in the second period, the Panthers had already scored twice. On Forsling’s goal, Auston Matthews played into the lead on an unsuccessful exit from the zone. A reversal that was very expensive.
Struck by Sam Bennett in the first third, Matthew Knies didn’t end the game in the Leafs camp. The rookie attempted a comeback after that hard check but ultimately failed. Injuring Knies would hurt Sheldon Keefe’s band as he brings a lot of energy.
A horror
For the Panthers, defenseman Josh Mahura took a shot straight to the face from Nylander in the second half. The puck worked its way under his visor and cut close to his eye. He was bleeding profusely when he came out of the ice.
During this scene we have to commend Kerfoot’s sportsmanship, who immediately alerted the referees even when his team was in offensive territory and threatening.
Mahura reclaimed his spot on the blue line in the third period.
The Leafs will head to Florida 0-2 in that series. Psychologically, Keefe will remind his players that they won their three games against the Lightning in Tampa.
First period
1 goal: Alexander Kerfoot (2)
(Schenn, Rielly) 2:20
2 goal: Ryan OReilly (3)
(Marner, Matthews) AN-5:10
3-Flo: Anton Lundell (1)
(Reinhart) 11:13
Penalties: Dalpe (Flo) 4:45, Tkachuk (Flo) 6:23
second period
4-Flo: Alexander Barkov (2)
(Duclair)0:19
5-Flo: Gustav Forsling (2)
(Tkachuk, Lundell) 1:06
Penalties: Bennett (Flo) 15:28, Matthews (Goal) 20:00
third period
No goal
Punishment: No punishment
Shoot the net
Florida 9-9-11-29 Toronto 15-10-11-36
Guardian:
Flo: Sergei Bobrovsky (G, 5-1) Goal: Ilya Samsonov (P, 4-4)
Numerical advantages:
Flo: 0 on 1, Gate: 1 on 3
Referee:
Chris Rooney, Graham Skilliter
linesman:
Brad Kovachik, Matt MacPherson
HELP:
19,387