Toronto Maple Leafs has one of NHL's best power games. Florida Panthers boast of the league's best punishment killing.
The strength of these special teams will be tested on Monday, hosting the Panters in the 1st game of Maple Leaf's Stanley Cup playoffs.
After connecting to the eighth place in the league, Toronto was even better in six matches against OTTAWA senators in the first round and 35.3 percent of his opportunities (17-17).
Most of this is the success of the five -speed upper unit with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies. Quintet met 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in the first round of power.
“I think they're trusting themselves right now.” He said. “They have a lot of skills and abilities.”
The same can be said for the panthers when it is short fifty. Penalty kills follows Carolina Hurricanes, which is only perfect in killing with 88.9 percent (18 to 16) in the playoffs in NHL.
Panthers have not yet scored a short goal after the season, but in the normal season, NHL came second. The other six teammates announced the rest.
“You win the series like this,” Florida defender Gustav Forsling said. “Your PK needs to come to the point.”
Maple Leafs and Panthers are collected for the second time in three seasons. In 2023, Florida sent Toronto in five games in the second round. This showed that for the first time in about 20 years, Maple Leafs passed the opening round; Since 2001-02, they have not moved to a conference final.
“All external things don't really matter, Mat Matthews said. “20 or 25 men in our room and the belief in each other do for each other and just go out and compete.”
In the first 28 season, only once went beyond the second round, Florida enters the series by watching a third spring in a row in the conference final.
“We have much more experience in playing in playoffs, but every year different.” He said. “A lot of new men, new systems, a new coaches. This year they really play well and played well in the first round, so it will be difficult. All we can do is to concentrate on ourselves and our game plan and go there and do it.”
Three of these new players on the Toronto side won the Stanley Cup with Florida last season-Writing Oliver Ekman-Tarson, goalkeeper Anthony Stolarz and Advanced Steven Lorentz.
“Yes, good memories. In the past, Lore Lorentz said. “We have a job to do, so now the focus is the point.”
Brad Marchand, purchased by Panthers of Boston Bruins before the trade deadline, was a solid harmony with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. In the first round, there were four assists, the trio 5 to 5 left Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 behind.
-FELD level media
