Before the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers renew their rivalry, Florida head coach Paul Maurice weighed on their playoff series-ending photo that featured Radkos Gudas yelling in Joseph Woll's
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — It's a photo that will be remembered forever.
Shortly after Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins scored the overtime winner to eliminate the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of their 2023 Stanely Cup playoffs series, teammate Radko Gudas stood over Joseph Woll and delivered a yell right into the Maple Leafs' goaltender's face.
Before the two teams meet again for the first time since that evening, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice was asked about the photo and that moment shortly after Florida's morning skate.
"We thought it was kinda funny," Maurice said with a smirk. He's just such an emotional guy. It was his barbaric yelp. People from Toronto didn't appreciate it the same way we did."
Gudas departed the Panthers in free agency and signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Anaheim Ducks this summer, so he will not be in attendance for the Maple Leafs.
The Czech defenseman told the publication iSport in Czechia that the Leafs were one of many teams interested in his services. However, he had no interest in playing in Canada due to the pressure he could feel the opposition was going through throughout their series.
Panthers players Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour will not be in the lineup for the playoff rematch. Leaving fewer players to renew the 2023 playoff hostility.
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