Pre-Game Talk: Game 2 - Panthers @ Toronto

[HockeyVirus]

Just focus on the game, run the same lineup and keep playing our game. Florida guys look like they're running out of gas. 2 Cup runs and a physical series vs Tampa, leading up to this point.

No need to headhunt Bennett whether or not some people think he deserves it. Just play our game and win.

100% expecting a fight though, Domi vs Bennett makes the most sense. There has to be some sort of response, just don't let it dictate the entire game.

They looked shook last night tbh. Like they didn't expect the Leafs to play with such intensity and it caught them off guard. I think they were looking past the Leafs like their fans were. They bought their own hype of how they were the heavy favorite and this would be over in 5.

 

[Maple Leaf]

can leafs handle that marchand line??????????????

 

[Stephen]

They looked shook last night tbh. Like they didn't expect the Leafs to play with such intensity and it caught them off guard. I think they were looking past the Leafs like their fans were. They bought their own hype of how they were the heavy favorite and this would be over in 5.

Hopefully this series can unfold like the 2023 series did. Catch them off guard and by the time they know it the series is over.

 

[Stephen]

can leafs handle that marchand line??????????????

Lundell and Listerine are killers.

 

[Aashir]

Woll needs to be stellar, he was below average (which makes sense in the circumstances)

Line 1 needs to dominate, they were ok in game 1, but they need to reach another level

Bottom six could contribute a bit more too.

Game 1 was won by nylander and the defencemen scoring

I wonder what game 2 brings.

 

[tuckerintensity]

They looked shook last night tbh. Like they didn't expect the Leafs to play with such intensity and it caught them off guard. I think they were looking past the Leafs like their fans were. They bought their own hype of how they were the heavy favorite and this would be over in 5.

I think they'll adjust, but I agree with this. I think there has been a little bit of "same old Leafs, we'll get physical and they'll roll over" and we're looking like we mean a bit more business.

 

[v00d00daddy]

I’d love to see Berube use home ice advantage.

Wait for Bennett to lineup for a rw neutral zone faceoff

Put out the Matthews c and Domi rw. Knies lw right next to Bennett.

Knies shoves Bennett before puck drop and shows the whole arena a fight challenge to Bennett.

Then we see Bennett either accept the challenge and get rag dolled or turning down the challenge and crowd can just chant “chicken” lol

Then have one shift of nothing offensive. Just set up panthers to get hit hard and clean. Maybe Patches instead of Domi

 

[HockeyVirus]

Hopefully this series can unfold like the 2023 series did. Catch them off guard and by the time they know it the series is over.

They have been through a lot and will not quit, but winning again tomorrow is going to rattle any team but especially them.

In that case wouldn't be shocked to see them take game 3 in Florida and Leafs take game 4

 

[Aashir]

I think the number one concern is now...how do you keep Woll healthy for the remainder of the series?

If woll gets hurt somehow by any play involving a panther…

f*** the game at that point. Benoit’s job is to line up every single player no matter what. If the puck went by them he still crushes them

Patches and Lorentz need to be falling on Bob, and at that point I don’t care if it’s looking accidental or not.

And if another of our goalies get hurt and the league does nothing about it, then idk how you can look at this DOPS with any sort of legitimacy or credibility

 

[HockeyVirus]

I’d love to see Berube use home ice advantage.

Wait for Bennett to lineup for a rw neutral zone faceoff

Put out the Matthews c and Domi rw. Knies lw right next to Bennett.

Knies shoves Bennett before puck drop and shows the whole arena a fight challenge to Bennett.

Then we see Bennett either accept the challenge and get rag dolled or turning down the challenge and crowd can just chant “chicken” lol

Then have one shift of nothing offensive. Just set up panthers to get hit hard and clean. Maybe Patches instead of Domi

Not needed. I would bet a lot Maurice puts Bennett on the ice to start the game to give a chance for Berube to put whoever he wants and offer the chance to get even. I bet Berube doesn't even bother with that given his comments today

 

[Stephen]

They have been through a lot and will not quit, but winning again tomorrow is going to rattle any team but especially them.

In that case wouldn't be shocked to see them take game 3 in Florida and Leafs take game 4

The last time the Florida Panthers went down 1-0 in a series was in the 2023 against Vegas which they lost. So losing Game 1 is somewhat unusual for them. Haven’t seen them have to play from that position in 5 series. Probably not that important in the grand arc of this series but not meaningless.

 

[Gallagbi]

I’d love to see Berube use home ice advantage.

Wait for Bennett to lineup for a rw neutral zone faceoff

Put out the Matthews c and Domi rw. Knies lw right next to Bennett.

Knies shoves Bennett before puck drop and shows the whole arena a fight challenge to Bennett.

Then we see Bennett either accept the challenge and get rag dolled or turning down the challenge and crowd can just chant “chicken” lol

Then have one shift of nothing offensive. Just set up panthers to get hit hard and clean. Maybe Patches instead of Domi

Knies won't win that fight

 

[Rob Brown]

Turn the page on last night and the Bennett nonsense and focus on winning tomorrow. Based on Berube today I have no doubt that we come out firing and don't fall into the Panthers trap of retaliating.

 

[Rob Brown]

Knies won't win that fight

Really? Knies is a lot bigger and has proven he can fight. I think he'd do just fine but also don't see them fighting lol.

 

[Gallagbi]

Really? Knies is a lot bigger and has proven he can fight. I think he'd do just fine but also don't see them fighting lol.

At best Knies keeps it even and there's no impact to Bennett

 

[Primary Assist]

In Woll we trust.

Don't waste any mental energy or focus trying to even the score with Bennett. Really sucks Stolie got hurt but I'm sure he wants the team to just win this round compared to going out for blood and losing.

Hammer Tkachuk every single chance you get. Don't be dirty and don't deliberately try to injure him, but know that he would be doing the exact same thing to any of our guys nursing a groin injury. Hell he probably would try to injure our guys like with Marner last night. But don't stoop to his level, he's much more experienced.

Just play playoff hockey. Again, nothing dirty just hard play.

Get in Bob's head early and often. Last night was like making Superman bleed. The fight is far from over, but it is winnable

Respect Florida for all they have accomplished and play accordingly. The Leafs (and by extension the fans) cannot focus on anything besides playing their best and winning this series

Go Leafs Go!

 

[Evilhomer]

OT win in this one, and in game 3.

 

[Evilhomer]

This is where you hope a veteran coach like Craig Berube can steady or inspire the room. If the Leafs come out flat (or worse, skittish) after how the last game ended, I think people are going to be very disappointed even if they head back to Florida with the split.

Make this a hockey game, don't get drawn into the theatrics, and try to capitalize on special teams.

Thankfully, Sheldon Keefe is not here anymore.

 

[mobilus]

They looked shook last night tbh. Like they didn't expect the Leafs to play with such intensity and it caught them off guard. I think they were looking past the Leafs like their fans were. They bought their own hype of how they were the heavy favorite and this would be over in 5.

It might be over in 5, just not in the direction they were expecting.

 

[darrylsittler27]

Knies won't win that fight

Knies is too valuable. If Mathews was a golden gloves, you don't send him since it could mean suspension or injury. We have a guy for that who can play 4th line.

 

[Kiwi]

Right, the leagues a complete ******* joke but it's done and let's use it to our advantage

Be physical, if you get a chance to make a hit really make it hurt, pull together and play for your injured teammate, show those ***** you won't be intimidated but your not going to do anything stupid that may lose the game
The crowd is going to be rabid, use it and play well enough to keep them in the game all night

Most of all don't give up, fight for every puck like it's the one that's going to win you the game and now would be a great time for our stars to prove to everybody in the league that they deserve the hype and adulation they get

Woll just get yourself in front of that pick mate and make his life easier boys

 

[torontoblood]

The last time the Florida Panthers went down 1-0 in a series was in the 2023 against Vegas which they lost. So losing Game 1 is somewhat unusual for them. Haven’t seen them have to play from that position in 5 series. Probably not that important in the grand arc of this series but not meaningless.

Last year in their second round series against Boston, they lost game 1 to the bruins by the score of 5-1.

2023-24 Eastern Second Round Game 1, Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers Box Score: May 6, 2024 | Hockey-Reference.com

Get the latest box score updates on the Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers game played on May 6, 2024 on Hockey-Reference.com

www.hockey-reference.com

2024 NHL Eastern Second Round: BOS vs. FLA | Hockey-Reference.com

2024 NHL Eastern Second Round: BOS vs. FLA

www.hockey-reference.com

 

[mobilus]

Last year in their second round series against Boston, they lost game 1 to the bruins by the score of 5-1.

2023-24 Eastern Second Round Game 1, Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers Box Score: May 6, 2024 | Hockey-Reference.com

Get the latest box score updates on the Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers game played on May 6, 2024 on Hockey-Reference.com

www.hockey-reference.com

2024 NHL Eastern Second Round: BOS vs. FLA | Hockey-Reference.com

2024 NHL Eastern Second Round: BOS vs. FLA

www.hockey-reference.com

 

[torontoblood]

Woll needs to be stellar, he was below average (which makes sense in the circumstances)

Line 1 needs to dominate, they were ok in game 1, but they need to reach another level

Bottom six could contribute a bit more too.

Game 1 was won by nylander and the defencemen scoring

I wonder what game 2 brings.

Yeah both Matthews and marner are working hard and working smart in here playoffs so far.

They’re also a little more physical than usual this spring , they’re winning faceoffs, they’re blocking shots, they’re playing well defensively , they’re assisting on goals, they’re winning puck battles, etc….they’re doing everything but scoring actual goals themselves. Especially Matthews, he’s so due for a goalscoring outburst. Our leafs have a much better chance to win games and go deeper in the playoffs if he scores a lot of goals.

 

[1specter]

Knies won't win that fight

I think Knies could surprise us, he's filled into his body and is an absolute truck now, look at how he flattened Pinto with little effort or the bombs he unloaded on Whitecloud. That being said Bennett has more fighting experience and he probably knows how to clinch and grab his way through a size mismatch.