First, Ilya Samsonov left the game visibly injured:
Then, the general team effort.
Nobody was happy with how the Leafs played (except for Panthers fans). Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander were nowhere to be found for this crucial matchup.
In fact, they have been almost invisible since the second round started.
In the last three games, Nylander and Marner both have an assist, Matthews got two, and Tavares couldn't write his name on the scoresheet.
There seems to be a specific reason for that.
When he was asked how he could keep the Leafs' best players at bay, he kept his answer short and simple:
To see his full press conference:
Bobrovsky has been simply incredible since he took over from Alex Lyon in the third game against Boston. He's been even better since the series against Toronto started: he has a .936 save percentage and a 2.00 GAA.
The Leafs are now in extremely troubled waters. They'll need to win the next four games if they want to reach the conference finals. It won't be an easy task. The Panthers haven't lost in the last six games, and they're playing with great confidence.
Someone in the Leafs' core will have to rise up if they want to have a chance to win.
If no one does, some changes are expected over the summer.
Who do you think will pay this summer?
As seen on Maple Leafs Hot Stove - Paul Maurice on how his team has been able to limit Matthews, Nylander, Marner, and Tavares to zero goals through three games: «Bobrovsky That's the end of that answer»
POLL | ||
8 MAI | 1519 ANSWERS Paul Maurice Reveals His Secret to Neutralize Leafs' Top Guns Who do you think will pay this summer? | ||
Matthews | 530 | 34.9 % |
Marner | 197 | 13 % |
Tavares | 242 | 15.9 % |
Nylander | 550 | 36.2 % |
List of polls |