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The Toronto Maple Leafs are embracing the pressure as they prepare to open their second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers with home-ice advantage.
Coming off a six-game win over the Ottawa Senators, Toronto is looking for redemption against the defending champions.
Florida knocked the Leafs out in the second round of the 2023 playoffs in five games and enters this series after dispatching the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.
On Sunday, Leafs captain Auston Matthews spoke to the media ahead of Game 1 and insisted that this group is different and ready to go against the Panthers.
“We’re a prepared group, we’re ready to go,” Matthews said. “We know the challenge that lies ahead, and it's just taking it one step at a time.”
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) during warm-up before a Stanley Cup Playoffs game at Scotiabank Arena.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
One reason for optimism in Toronto is the fact that the Leafs now have three former Panthers—Anthony Stolarz, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Steven Lorentz—who helped Florida win the Stanley Cup last year.
Matthews said their experience and knowledge of Florida's organization will be one more asset.
“Good to have those guys’ perspective,” Matthews said. “Things that we can be aware of, things that we can assert ourselves in.”
Matthews, who led the Leafs with seven points in the first round, said the team is prepared to play patient, tough hockey.
“There’s going to be a lot of shifts where there’s not really going to be a whole lot going on,” Matthews said. “Work for those opportunities and when you get them, be able to capitalize.”
Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) takes up a position in front of Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov (35).Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Florida’s physical style, led by Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand, is a known factor to take into consideration by the Leafs, and head coach Craig Berube is anticipating it.
“They play a hard game,” Berube said. “They forecheck hard and they’re physical and they’re in your face. We’ve got to initiate as much as possible.
”You’re going to get banged around.”
Game 1 of the Panthers-Maple Leafs series begins at 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
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Coming off a six-game win over the Ottawa Senators, Toronto is looking for redemption against the defending champions.
Florida knocked the Leafs out in the second round of the 2023 playoffs in five games and enters this series after dispatching the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.
On Sunday, Leafs captain Auston Matthews spoke to the media ahead of Game 1 and insisted that this group is different and ready to go against the Panthers.
“We’re a prepared group, we’re ready to go,” Matthews said. “We know the challenge that lies ahead, and it's just taking it one step at a time.”
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) during warm-up before a Stanley Cup Playoffs game at Scotiabank Arena.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
One reason for optimism in Toronto is the fact that the Leafs now have three former Panthers—Anthony Stolarz, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Steven Lorentz—who helped Florida win the Stanley Cup last year.
Matthews said their experience and knowledge of Florida's organization will be one more asset.
“Good to have those guys’ perspective,” Matthews said. “Things that we can be aware of, things that we can assert ourselves in.”
Matthews, who led the Leafs with seven points in the first round, said the team is prepared to play patient, tough hockey.
“There’s going to be a lot of shifts where there’s not really going to be a whole lot going on,” Matthews said. “Work for those opportunities and when you get them, be able to capitalize.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) takes up a position in front of Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov (35).Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Florida’s physical style, led by Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand, is a known factor to take into consideration by the Leafs, and head coach Craig Berube is anticipating it.
“They play a hard game,” Berube said. “They forecheck hard and they’re physical and they’re in your face. We’ve got to initiate as much as possible.
”You’re going to get banged around.”
Game 1 of the Panthers-Maple Leafs series begins at 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Related: Paul Bissonnette Sends Stern Warning to Panthers Before Maple Leafs Series
Related: Panthers and Maple Leafs Fire Loaded Messages Before Second-Round Series
Related: Panthers and Maple Leafs Fire Loaded Messages Before Second-Round Series
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