Nov 24, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs ahead William Nylander (88) celebrates after scoring a purpose towards the Utah Hockey Membership within the second interval at Scotiabank Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Photographs The Toronto Maple Leafs have received 4 straight video games. The Florida Panthers have misplaced 4 straight video games.
Toronto is 7-1-0 in its previous eight video games. Florida is 1-6-0 in its previous seven.
On Wednesday evening, these traits might be examined because the Panthers will host the Leafs in Dawn, Fla.
Oddly, Toronto is on this sizzling streak regardless of taking part in with out seven-time All-Star Auston Matthews, who had led the NHL in objectives in three of the earlier 4 years.
Matthews, Toronto’s captain, is on injured reserve resulting from an upper-body damage.
“Do not get me fallacious — we wish Auston again as quickly as doable,” Leafs star John Tavares stated. “However it’s nearly believing within the group and … the depth we now have. Everybody is part of it.”
Certainly, Mitch Marner leads Toronto in assists (20) and factors (28). William Nylander leads the Leafs in objectives (14). And Tavares has 20 factors, rating third behind Marner and Nylander.
Marner has been significantly sizzling, as he has a four-game multi-point streak. Throughout that span, he has scored 4 objectives and dished 4 assists.
“He is an elite participant,” Tavares stated. “He makes performs. He does so many good issues with out the puck. He performs in all conditions, and he brings a component to our locker room that’s distinctive.
“We’re fortunate to have him.”
The Leafs additionally really feel fortunate to have the goalie duo of Anthony Stolarz — who performed for the Panthers final season — and Joseph Woll.
Stolarz has but to face the Panthers since signing a two-year, $5 million contract with Toronto in July. However he has been good with the Leafs, posting a 7-3-2 report, a .927 save share and a 2.18 goals-against common.
Woll is 5-2-0 with a .922 save share and a 2.00 goals-against common.
Florida will possible begin goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who was rested in Monday’s 4-1 loss to Washington.
Bobrovsky is 9-5-1 with an .885 save share and a 3.18 goals-against common. For his profession towards Toronto, Bobrovsky is 13-8-1 with a .904 save share and a 2.82 GAA.
In that loss to Washington, Panthers heart Sam Reinhart had his 13-game factors streak snapped. It’s the longest such streak within the NHL this season.
Reinhart, who began this week tied for the league lead in objectives scored (16), additionally tops the Panthers in factors (31). He has 11 objectives and eight assists over his previous 14 video games.
With stars comparable to Bobrovsky, Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, it is simple to see why Panthers coach Paul Maurice hasn’t misplaced confidence in his staff.
However he’s additionally sincere.
“There is a piece of our sport that is lacking proper now,” Maurice stated, “and we will have to search out it.”
Added Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola: “We’re just a little bit off.”
Panthers backup goalie Spencer Knight admitted he is pissed off.
“However we have got to keep it up,” Knight stated. “We have executed lots of issues proper. We’re working arduous. Everyone seems to be shopping for in.
“Each staff on this league is nice. Anybody can beat anybody.”
–Area Stage Media