SUNRISE — Paul Maurice sat within the aftermath of Sport 6 and already was on to Sport 7. He already was saying earlier than this Sport 7 what he mentioned earlier than the Florida Panthers’ final Sport 7.
He already was utilizing the thought any crew wants in any Sport 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 Sport 7s. “They’re all of the vitality you’ve bought with no concern about tomorrow. You wish to have talked about your recreation 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 Sport 7 the Panthers performed was at residence in Amerant Financial institution Enviornment in opposition to Edmonton and got here with the stress of getting misplaced the three earlier video games, any one in all which might’ve received the title.
They’ve misplaced only one such recreation this collection in opposition to Toronto, 2-0 on Friday evening. It was a recreation most everybody thought they’d win, and never simply because these Panthers have received about each huge recreation 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 imagine in momentum and Friday evening confirmed why. One thing was lacking from the Panthers, some vitality, some urgency — some electrical cost they provide off on their greatest nights.
“Gradual making performs, not making them after they’re there,’’ Matthew Tkachuk mentioned of their energy play, an concept that carried throughout their recreation.
Nonetheless, it was scoreless halfway by way of the third interval when defenseman Gustav Forsling made the unhealthy clearing go he by no means makes. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky let within the form of shot he not often does. However in Toronto they solely know Auston Matthews scored the one objective the Maple Leafs wanted and his first playoff objective in 11 video games in opposition to the Panthers.
So, now it’s Toronto that may have a comeback to have a good time.
And now it’s the Panthers who need to remind everybody why they’re a particular crew. Simply as any such crew does. Similar to this one did in beginning this run with a Sport 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 get pleasure from these video games, we get pleasure from 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 evening, tight and easy. The Panthers solely had two photographs within the first interval. Their high line with Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart had three photographs all recreation.
Toronto as soon as once more had a giant variety of 31 blocked photographs 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 evening, “A particular alternative for our crew.”
Toronto hasn’t made it out of the second spherical in 20 years, so it doesn’t have something to attract on for this Sport 7. Possibly the Panthers’ Sport 7 wins the previous couple of years don’t imply something for this one, both.
“We’re not going to indicate any video of these Sport 7s,’’ Maurice mentioned. “We’ll be wanting on the video tonight and see the place we are able to get higher.”
He is aware of what’s coming, although.
“It’s an fascinating factor, I believe if you get to 5 or 6 groups left, they’re all succesful,’’ Maurice mentioned. “They will get right into a Sport 7 after which harness it. Generally it’s simply who the puck bounced for.
“That’s a part of the stress. But it surely’s about as trustworthy a recreation as you’ll find. There’s no dishonest in that recreation. That’s why they’re a lot enjoyable.”
Sunday evening, 7:30 p.m. The enjoyable begins. And the tip for one crew.
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