Matthews' status won't be confirmed until later in the day but with only 12 healthy forwards available, it's likely the star will be in the lineup.
Matthews' status won't be confirmed until later in the day but with only 12 healthy forwards available, it's likely the star will be in the lineup.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers have lots of motivation going into their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. If they can pick up one more point than the Boston Bruins, who host the Ottawa Senators, Florida would move into top spot in the Atlantic Division.
But Panthers head coach Paul Maurice doesn't believe in resting guys down the stretch, especially since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs won't begin until Saturday.
"There’s not a rest issue. We’re all getting two or three days off after this game. We’re going to be 100 percent fresh," Maurice told reporters following the club's optional skate.
That's why he believes players like Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews should play and likely will when Toronto visits Florida at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday, especially since he sits one goal away from reaching 70 in a season.
"I hope he gets it, I prefer it wasn’t tonight, but it’s a phenomenal story and it’s such an unusual thing to happen," Maurice said. "We’ll focus on their elite players the same way we would every other game.
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"Hopefully he can get it tomorrow."
The Maple Leafs did not hold a morning availability and details of their lineup will come closer to game time. Many Leafs fans and snowbirds are expected to make their way to the game hoping they see Matthews get his 70th goal. The Maple Leafs visit the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Wednesday to close out their regular season, giving Matthews another chance at it, if he's in the lineup.
The game could serve as a potential Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round preview if the Panthers cannot overtake the Bruins in the standings. It would also be a second-round series rematch that saw Florida eliminate the Leafs last year in five games.
Florida defenseman Gustav Forsling recalled what his team did to stop players like Matthews from excelling in that series.
"We took away time and space a little bit. If you have his stick or stick on the puck early on he’s not going to be able to shoot," Forsling said of Matthews. "It’s kind of my job to shut him down. I’m excited for tonight."
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