Finding themselves in the second round for the first time in 19 years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have lost their first two games there and they must turn the tide in South Florida.
The order is significant: the Panthers have just established a team mark with a fifth straight win in the playoffs.
Game 3 of the series is Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Sunrise.
“There’s a lot of work to do, but we remain confident and optimistic,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. We can’t wait to play again. It’s going to be an intense game. »
Tuesday night, the Maple Leafs could not match the thirst for victory of Florida, which greatly surprised by dismissing the Boston Bruins in seven games.
Sergei Bobrovsky recalled the brilliance that won him the Vézina Trophy (in 2013 and 2017), then he shone even more in the second game.
“They lead the series 2-0 and you have to accept that,” said Ryan O’Reilly of the Leafs. Everyone has moved on and the mood is good in the locker room. There is still plenty of hockey to be played. »
In 2019, O’Reilly won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues, also being named the playoffs most valuable player.
Toronto has scored 3.39 goals per game in the regular season, but only eight in four games.
“We create chances and we have our chances,” said Mitch Marner of the Leafs. It will eventually produce results. »
The Maple Leafs went undefeated in three games at Tampa in the first round.
“If you want to make a long run in the playoffs, there’s always going to be a lot of adversity,” said Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn, who won the Cup in 2020 and 2021 with the Lightning.
“It can be injuries or being down in a series. The series are never a long calm river. The key is how you react to adversity. »