#CSP #NHL #LEAFSNATION
Can the Maple Leafs pick up a sixth postseason victory for the first time in the Core Four era and open up a 2-0 lead on the Cup champs?
Keys to Game 2
– The matchups went as expected in Game 1, with the Maple Leafs matching their lines straight up: L1 vs. L1, L2 vs. L2, L3 vs. L3, and L4 vs. L4. Florida has switched up their L4, which was awful in Game 1, by inserting Matthew Samoskevich. The L3 vs. L3 matchup didn’t go smoothly for the Leafs, including two goals against (although one goal was weak on Joseph Woll). However, the Leafs are up 1-0 in the series after scoring five five-on-five goals in Game 1, so they’ll likely keep it as is and see how it plays out in Game 2.
– Florida concedes a ton of breakaways, and the Leafs were ready to exploit the aggressiveness of the Panthers’ defense with quick-strike counterpunches, including a clear 2v1 and breakaway goals. The Leafs‘ defense was active up ice. Will Florida back off? Can the Leafs keep exploiting this?
– The Leafs need to be prepared for another level from the Florida forecheck, which will be better tonight.
– The Leafs survived a rough night on the power play (0 for 5), and while they created some looks, they weren’t nearly good enough. They need to move it quicker and win some battles in front. The only way to back off Florida’s PK pressure is to make them pay. On the other side of special teams, there was a lot to like about the Leafs’ PK, which needs to keep clearing the net/rebounds and allowing clear sightlines for Woll.
– In terms of the Sam Bennett storyline, the Leafs’ best revenge is ultimately on the scoreboard, and they seem to know it. They roll in the mud with a pig. At best, someone can challenge him right away to a fight, and we’ll all move on. The Leafs need to play hard and between the whistles. It worked in Game 1.
– All we’ll say about the Leafs’ goaltending: Rally for Stolie.
Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines
Forwards
#23 Matthew Knies — #34 Auston Matthews — #16 Mitch Marner
#67 Max Pacioretty — #91 John Tavares — #88 William Nylander
#18 Steven Lorentz — #24 Scott Laughton — #19 Calle Jarnkrok
#74 Bobby McMann — #29 Pontus Holmberg — #11 Max Domi
Defensemen
#22 Jake McCabe — #8 Chris Tanev
#44 Morgan Rielly — #25 Brandon Carlo
#2 Simon Benoit — #95 Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Goaltenders
Starter: #60 Joseph Woll
#30 Matt Murray
Injured: Anthony Stolarz
Extras: Nick Robertson, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Philippe Myers, Dakota Mermis, Artur Akhtyamov, Jani Hakanpaa
Florida Panthers Projected Lines
Forwards
#23 Carter Verhaeghe — #16 Aleksander Barkov — #13 Sam Reinhart
#17 Evan Rodrigues — #9 Sam Bennett — #19 Matthew Tkachuk
#27 Eetu Luostarinen — #15 Anton Lundell — #63 Brad Marchand
#70 Jesper Boqvist — #8 Nico Sturm — #25 Matthew Samosekvich
Defensemen
#42 Gustav Forsling — #5 Aaron Ekblad
#77 Niko Mikkola — #3 Seth Jones
#88 Nate Schmidt — #7 Dmitry Kulikov
Goaltenders
Starter: #72 Sergei Bobrovsky
#41 Vitek Vanecek
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