George Parros is attending tonight’s Ducks rematch because the NHL expects the Maple Leafs to send a message
George Parros; the man who gave Radko Gudas five games for ending Auston Matthews' season is attending Monday's rematch in person. The entire hockey world is watching and Toronto should play like none of that matters.
Monday night is a long time coming for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's their second and final time they face the Anaheim Ducks, and ever since Radko Gudas took out Auston Matthews that date has been circled in Sharpie on the calendar.
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It's part of the reason why Parros is showing up, because getting a first hand look at the situation instead of just relying on video should give him a clearer idea of what punishment should be.
You know things are getting bad when not only the NHL takes a vested interest in your game, but they are sending the guy who got a lot of heat for the first incident. Maybe it's their way of trying to get him to repent for his earlier mistakes and make real decisions on Monday.
Parros gets a front row seat at the newly motivated Maple Leafs, and after the slew of comments coming from the media including Chris Pronger's scathing breakdown of the situation; the entire hockey world is watching.
There's no more excuses, and regardless of whether or not Parros is in the building, it shouldn't stop Toronto from doing everything they can do show they won't be pushed around. Is this their time to keel over, or find a way to answer the bell?
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You already had several players expressing remorse and almost looking for an excuse to get back on their captain's good side. We know Easton Cowan will fight a literal skyscraper with aplomb, and it's up to Morgan Rielly and Max Domi to also set the tone — prove you're sorry.
Honestly, and this is a personal observation: I don't think Cowan really cares about Parros being there, and neither should the Maple Leafs. He'll punish you for breathing the wrong way; what's there to lose?
Monday is the final test for Toronto against Anaheim, and it may be their last time to go after Gudas considering his age, injury status, and reputation. Why not go out with a bang and show the rest of the NHL that if you're going to push us, we'll push back harder.
With essentially them playing for their careers going forward — they say the most dangerous man is one with nothing to lose.
Well Toronto has about 20 of them, at least for one night only. So expect things to get out of hand. What's Parros going to do? Suspend them all?
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