Florida riding franchise-best five-game playoff winning streak
Florida riding franchise-best five-game playoff winning streak
The Florida Panthers knew heading into Game 2 on Thursday they’d likely be getting Toronto’s best punch after the Maple Leafs dropped the series-opener at home.
Now with a pair of road wins in their pocket, the rested and refreshed Panthers are preparing to host Game 3 at FLA Live Arena knowing they’ll get whatever Toronto has left in the tank.
It’s no secret that falling behind three-games-to-none in a seven-game series is basically a death wish.
One area the Leafs may be able to draw some confidence is in that they’re playing on the road.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Similarly to the Panthers and their success away from home, Toronto has also played well when not at Scotiabank Arena.
During their opening-round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Leafs won all three games they played on the road.
Florida, for all their recent success of winning five straight postseason games, only one of them came on home ice.
The Panthers are just 1-2 at home, just as Toronto is now 1-4 on home ice.
One thing that may work in Florida’s favor is the extra time between games.
It’s been pretty remarkable that the Panthers have reeled off a franchise record five straight postseason wins, even more so when taking into account they came during a span of only nine days.
Despite having just played a Game 7 on the road, the schedule makers didn’t think to grant the Cats more than one day between a winner-take-all in Boston and a series-opener in Toronto.
The last time Florida had two days between games was the two days that immediately preceded the aforementioned five-game winning streak.
“Recovery is what this whole thing is about in between games,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said after Saturday’s practice in Sunrise. “The moods is pretty darn consistent here.”
While Toronto will essentially be fighting for their playoff lives on Sunday, don’t be surprised to see the Panthers play their best game of the series after getting an extra day of rest.
LINEUP NOTES
Barring any last-minute injuries or illnesses, the Panthers will continue to roll with the same group.
“We anticipate the same lineup,” Maurice said.
Florida has been getting solid contributions across the board, but it’s the team’s ability to play the same high-energy, hard-checking style regardless of who is on the ice that’s fueled their incredible playoff run.
That’s why the extra day of rest could play such a key role.
Sergei Bobrovsky, who is playing some of his best hockey as a member of the Panthers, will remain in Florida’s crease.
For Toronto, Head Coach Sheldon Keefe said earlier this week that rookie Matthew Knies would be out for at least Games 3 and 4 in South Florida after being diagnosed with a concussion.
Knies left Game 2 late in the first period after taking a hard check from Panthers center Sam Bennett and did not return.
Zach Aston-Reese, who played in Game 1 but was a healthy scratch on Thursday, appears to be slotting back into the lineup.
LINEUP UPDATES
When asked after the morning skate if he’d be using the same lineup again Sunday, Maurice basically confirmed it without confirming it, because, well, it’s the playoffs.
“That’s the plan,” he said.
Maurice said any players who didn’t skate on Saturday were skating Sunday morning, and that everyone should be available.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Nick Cousins on skating with Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk: “Those two have taken their game to another level. They obviously play with tremendous speed and skill, and they see the ice really well. I'm just on that line to play my game and not overcomplicate things, keep it simple, get in on the forecheck and that’s usually when we’re at our best.”
Carter Verhaeghe on an extra day’s rest between games: “I finally woke up this morning feeling pretty good about my body and everything. I think a lot of guys are banged up. It's a grind. Playing so many games every other day, guys are bound to get nicks and bruises, so having the two days (between games) is huge.”
Maurice on keeping things the same: “We had two days off in the Boston series and won the next the games. Our routine is identical, pretty much daily. We've got a 6:30 game setup, a 3:30 game, seven (o’clock), 7:30, we just do the same damn thing, and then go play the game.”
Cousins on playing at home: It will be nice to get in front of our fans and feel their energy. I think the guys will be excited tonight.”