SUNRISE — Paul Maurice sat within the aftermath of Recreation 6 and already was on to Recreation 7. He already was saying earlier than this Recreation 7 what he mentioned earlier than the Florida Panthers’ final Recreation 7.
He already was utilizing the thought any workforce wants in any Recreation 7 the place one good play or unfortunate bounce can start or finish a season’s huge hopes.
“They’re free,’’ the Florida Panthers coach mentioned of Recreation 7s. “They’re all of the power you’ve bought with no concern about tomorrow. You wish to have talked about your sport sufficient all yr, so everybody understands the sport you’re going to attempt to play.
“You don’t want a number of further espresso. You’ll be able to go.”
The final Recreation 7 the Panthers performed was at dwelling in Amerant Financial institution Enviornment towards Edmonton and got here with the stress of getting misplaced the three earlier video games, any considered one of which might’ve received the title.
They’ve misplaced only one such sport this collection towards Toronto, 2-0 on Friday night time. It was a sport most everybody thought they’d win, and never simply because these Panthers have received about each huge sport they may for the previous three playoffs.
It was as a result of Toronto was on the ropes after being dominated the 2 earlier video games. However Maurice doesn’t consider in momentum and Friday night time confirmed why. One thing was lacking from the Panthers, some power, some urgency — some electrical cost they provide off on their finest nights.
“Sluggish making performs, not making them once they’re there,’’ Matthew Tkachuk mentioned of their energy play, an concept that carried throughout their sport.
Nonetheless, it was scoreless halfway by way of the third interval when defenseman Gustav Forsling made the dangerous clearing move he by no means makes. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky let within the sort of shot he hardly ever does. However in Toronto they solely know Auston Matthews scored the one aim the Maple Leafs wanted and his first playoff aim in 11 video games towards the Panthers.
So, now it’s Toronto that may have a comeback to have fun.
And now it’s the Panthers who must remind everybody why they’re a particular workforce. Simply as any such workforce does. Similar to this one did in beginning this run with a Recreation 7 win at Boston within the opening collection of the 2023 playoffs.
“It’s a chance to make a reputation for ourselves once more,’’ Tkachuk mentioned. “We take pleasure in these video games, we take pleasure in these moments. Hopefully we’re to be able to go.”
Tkachuk is taking part in like he’s not totally recovered from his damage within the 4-Nations Face-off that put him down for 2 months. However that doesn’t matter now. Matthews appears to be battling one thing. Toronto ahead Matthew Knies left Friday with an damage.
“I don’t know the reply,’’ Toronto coach Craig Berube mentioned about Knies.
Toronto performed the sport it wanted Friday night time, tight and easy. The Panthers solely had two pictures within the first interval. Their high line with Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart had three pictures all sport.
Toronto as soon as once more had a giant variety of 31 blocked pictures and goalie Joseph Woll did what he was requested to do for the shutout. Which wasn’t an excessive amount of.
“A gutsy win,’’ Matthews referred to as it, earlier than calling Sunday night time, “A particular alternative for our workforce.”
Toronto hasn’t made it out of the second spherical in twenty years, so it doesn’t have something to attract on for this Recreation 7. Perhaps the Panthers’ Recreation 7 wins the previous couple of years don’t imply something for this one, both.
“We’re not going to point out any video of these Recreation 7s,’’ Maurice mentioned. “We’ll be trying on the video tonight and see the place we will get higher.”
He is aware of what’s coming, although.
“It’s an attention-grabbing factor, I believe while you get to 5 – 6 groups left, they’re all succesful,’’ Maurice mentioned. “They’ll get right into a Recreation 7 after which harness it. Typically it’s simply who the puck bounced for.
“That’s a part of the strain. Nevertheless it’s about as trustworthy a sport as you’ll find. There’s no dishonest in that sport. That’s why they’re a lot enjoyable.”
Sunday night time, 7:30 p.m. The enjoyable begins. And the top for one workforce.
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