Toronto is looking to salvage a split after dropping Game 1 at home to the Panthers
The Florida Panthers enter Game 2 of their second-round series with the Toronto Maple Leafs in uncharted waters.
As a franchise, the Panthers haven't won a game this deep in the playoffs since 1996.
The way the Cats are playing, it’s easy to get caught up in the feeling that they could be on the cusp of something special.
On the ice, Florida is playing a fierce brand of hockey.
Heavy forechecking and physicality combined with an incredible work ethic across the board has the Cats coming at their opponents in waves, suffocating forwards and causing all kind of turmoil and turnovers.
Off the ice, the Panthers are a loose but focused group.
They're locked in and working extremely hard while still not appearing to feel the pressure that generally comes with advancing deeper into a postseason.
It's a good thing too, because Florida can expect to feel the brunt of the Maple Leafs' extremely talented roster in Game 2.
After getting physically outmatched on Tuesday, Toronto will likely throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Panthers.
The Maple Leafs have already surrendered their home ice advantage, but losing two straight in your own building to start a playoff series is a recipe for disaster (see Panthers, Florida: 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs).
A couple trends from Game 1 that worked in Florida's favor was its goaltending and penalty kill, though the two essentially worked hand in hand.
Sergei Bobrovsky has been calm, cool and collected since returning to Florida's crease mid-way through their opening-round series with Boston, but perhaps more importantly, he's been consistent.
Particularly over his last four games, all wins, Bobrovsky has come up with timely saves without allowing low-percentage shots to get past him.
As long as Bob continues to make the saves he should, and a few that he shouldn't, Florida’s odds of winning are that much higher.
Getting back to the penalty kill, the best way to maintain success is simple: stay out of the box.
Toronto had the second-best power play in the NHL this season, only behind the historically good Edmonton Oilers and their ridiculous 32.4% success rate.
The Panthers' solid 4-for-4 on the penalty kill during Game 1 can't be expected to continue at that pace, not against all the firepower on the Maple Leafs roster.
LINEUP NOTES
As long as the Panthers continue to roll, barring any injuries, there shouldn't be any lineup changes.
If and when the time comes where Ryan Lomberg is healthy and ready to return to the lineup, Head Coach Paul Maurice will have a decision to make.
Until then, the main thing Maurice will need to consider is any potential changes to the forward lines or defensive pairings.
The current combination has been cooking, so expect that to continue until there is a reason to make a change.
Credit must be given to Nick Cousins, as his ability to skate on the second line with Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk and not hinder its ability to produce and impact the game has allowed Florida's depth to be a major strength.
"He's got a set of hands that allows him to play (at that level)," Maurice said of Cousins. "He can make plays with those few fellows."
With Anthony Duclair looking better and better on the top line with Sasha Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe, and the third like rolling with Eetu Luostarinen and Sam Reinhart flanking Anton Lundell, Florida’s top nine can really pack a punch in all three zones.
LINEUP UPDATES
There will be no changes for the Panthers for the start of Game 2.
Toronto media reported Sam Lafferty would be replacing Zach Aston-Reece in the Leafs' lineup.
He'll likely slot onto their fourth like with Alex Kerfoot and David Kampf.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Gus Forsling on not taking Toronto lightly: “They're very skilled and fast, with a bunch of guys that you’ve got to keep an eye or they'll sneak behind you, so you have to be always be ready.”
Maurice on building from Game 1: “I’m not a big believer in momentum. It changes every time the puck drops.”
Reinhart on Florida just doing its thing: “The pressure isn't really there for us. We're just showing up and playing, and we're loving doing it beside one another.”
Forsling on being ahead 1-0 in a series: “We want to have the same mindset always. We’re still hunting here. We want to get two wins here and go home to Florida.”