SUNRISE, Fla. — The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in switch-up mode.
That’s what happens when you go 4-4 in the playoffs and lose the first two games at home to an underdog in your second-round series.
“There’s a lot of hockey left to be played here,” says Ryan O’Reilly, an eternal optimist and the first Leaf to not get shook by this predicament. “It’s a long series.
“We have to keep building our game, get better as we go. I’m not worried.”
Toronto must win four of its next five games. Oh, boy.
Otherwise, it’s golf season.
It will also be speculation season for Kyle Dubas and Sheldon Keefe and Auston Matthews. Things could get real here fast, folks.
The Florida Panthers have already been playing with the type of urgency Toronto must summon for weeks now. They’re recent proof that you can fall behind by two games and still win a series.
“Have you ever been in a more intense five games?” Panthers coach Paul Maurice wondered Friday. “None of us really had.”
The Maple Leafs have not lost three straight since way back in October.
That’s a positive — and something to lean on in these desperate times.
Fumble the puck Sunday, and questions will swirl.
“It’s a must-win game for us,” Alexander Kerfoot says.
What about Bob?
All Sergei Bobrosvky did in games 1 and 2 was turn in the best 120 minutes of his season.
“I’m really happy to play playoff hockey. I’m really fortunate for the opportunity and really happy to be part of it. It’s a great atmosphere, a great time to play hockey,” said Bobrovsky, happy to get a two-day rest against an elite offensive squad.
“I’m excited to compete against the best guys in the world.”
OK.
So, the Maple Leafs’ plan to score on Tampa’s Andrei Vasilevski was evident. They flicked pucks from distance, blocked his eyes, and tried to tip long-range blasts.
With Bobrovsky, Toronto took note that the $10-million goalie allowed eight on his blocker side in Round 1 against the Bruins. Sniper extraordinaire Auston Matthews keeps firing there.
Maybe the Leafs should mix up their strategy.
“They might want to stop targeting blocker,” goalie guru Kevin Woodley told The Jeff Marek Show. “I’ve charted over 400 [shots] on him over the last number of years, and blocker has never been a statistical issue. Matter fact, statistically he gives up more on the glove side relative to the rest of the league.”
Woodley notes that Bobrovsky chokes down on his stick and will even drop it to make a blocker save. It’s not a weakness, according to him, but an analytical organization like Toronto might spot something different.
“They keep going there, so obviously they see something,” Woodley says.
The Panthers are letting their $10-million man do his thing.
Makes sense. Bobrovksy is on a five-game win streak, something no Panther has enjoyed all season, until now.
“You just kinda leave him alone,” says Maurice, who leaves the intricacies to goalie gurus Rob Tallas and Roberto Luongo.
“In general, I leave the goaltending alone. I don’t know anything about it, or why you would play that position. And the technical part of that, you don’t understand it unless you’re a goaltender. And the mental part of it, you don’t understand it unless you’ve played I the National Hockey League and you’ve felt that pressure.”
Nylander is waking up
It’s no secret that the Maple Leafs’ best players have not been that.
William Nylander was justly criticized for a lacklustre Game 1, but he was buzzing like a rumour in Game 2. When he’s goin’, he’s goin’. And Toronto needs more of that Nylander.
“Well, in the third period, William was a dominant player. He was the best player on the ice for either team by a mile. Really took control of the game and created a number of looks for he and his linemates,” Keefe says. “Obviously, was unable to get it to go over the line. That’s the next step.
“But the way William took charge of the game in the third period shows what he’s capable of doing and what we need more of.”
Nylander’s engagement gives ammo to Leafs fans who believe him to be the best thing since IKEA, and his lulls allow counterpoint.
“I’ve heard some people downtown are heading down to watch the game, so it’ll be fun to see some Toronto fans there,” Nylander says.
Maple Leafs out for revenge?
Toronto’s power play has been scarier than it has been successful. Tons of shots and Grade-A chances but only one goal.
“Stay on the attack and keep shooting,” Keefe says.
Smart plan for a team that is, justly, getting most of the whistles in its favour.
“Well, we’re getting hit in the head a lot. So, there’s that. Officials are making the calls, and there’s a lot more out there too,” Keefe says.
The Maple Leafs are placing a premium on discipline, hoping their 5-on-4 play can tilt the series.
“I find Toronto’s power-play is almost more dynamic. Boston’s power-play was incredibly effective but readable. They’re gonna run certain plays on you. You gotta do an incredible job to kill them, and we couldn’t,” Maurice says.
“These guys are dynamic. They will change positions. They will look off the most obvious next play. So, it’s been a real challenge.”
True.
But Toronto has only scored once on the man-advantage despite reaping more power-plays. That rate of return must increase.
The question here is this: Will Toronto try to exact a measure of revenge on Sam Bennett for taking Matthew Knies out of the series?
One-Timers: The Panthers will dress the same lineup that won games 1 and 2…. Brady Tkachuk, after dad Keith called out the Cats for being soft late in the regular season: “You see the record after he did it.”… Florida’s Ryan Lomberg is still week-to-week. Don’t expect him to play in this series.… Mitchell Marner on the loss of Matthew Knies and Toronto taking a hit on the whistles: “That’s a ref question, not a hockey player question.”… Zach Aston-Reese practised on the fourth line, but based on Gustafsson quarterbacking the second power-play unit and Justin Holl taking penalty-kill reps Saturday, we’re betting on an 11/7 setup. Keefe is keeping mum on his lineup, but Zach Aston-Reese and Timothy Liljegren skated by themselves Sunday morning.
Maple Leafs projected Game 3 lineup
Bunting – Matthews – Marner
Järnkrok – Tavares – Nylander
Kerfoot – O’Reilly – Acciari
Kämpf – Lafferty
Rielly – Schenn
McCabe – Brodie
Giordano – Holl
Gustafsson
Samsonov (starts)
Woll