After a physical battle in last years playoff series, the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs will meet for the first time in 2023-24, and it appears Florida will be severely under manned for the game.
Three key inactives
Ahead of their matchup, Panthers coach Paul Maurice revealed that Brandon Montour, Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad will all miss the key matchup due to injury.
There's three drivers out of our lineup, but we can compete. - Paul Maurice
-
With the Leafs getting out to a red-hot start through two games, this is another opportunity for them to flex their offensive muscles, but after an upset loss to the Chicago Blackhawks last time out, they'll still need to take this one very seriously.
No chance for revenge
During that playoff series, Bennett came under scrutiny and pure hatred from Leafs fans after what many considered dirty acts against rookie Matthew Knies, and with Ryan Reaves now in the lineup, this was considered a chance to get back at them.
-
Unfortunately, that will have to wait for another time now, but with a key matchup in the division, both teams will bring their best regardless of who is on the ice, so this should be a very fun meeting.
As Read on Maple Leafs Daily -
Panthers announce that they'll be missing 3 key players tonight against the Leafs
Who wins tonights matchup?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Leafs fans furious over report of Max Domi's next contract