Simon Benoit Issues Warning to Panthers Ahead of Game 1

It's going to be tough, it's going to be nasty, and it's going to involve a lot of physicality.

But the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers is also going to be exciting and intense, a treat for hockey fans everywhere.

Both teams are aware of how important this series is, and there will be no mercy shown by either side as they look to cement themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals, and hopefully set up a date with destiny, winning it all in the end.

One player who is especially focused on this series is Simon Benoit. The Maple Leafs defenseman has been a surprising bright spot so far this postseason, scoring a game-winner and playing his heart out every shift.

It's the type of player that helps teams win championships, and if he can continue to make life miserable for the opposition, Toronto will have a good chance of winning.

But he knows it won't be easy, and with the defending champs staring down at them, he's got to be ready.

Ready he is.

Benoit is not one to back down from a confrontation either. He'll throw hands, he'll hit everything in sight, and won't back down if guys try to rattle his cage.

He's been very good at keeping his emotions in check while also establishing a presence on the ice; something Toronto needs if they wanna be successful.

With Florida already trying to get an advantage thanks to Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, it's going to be imperative that Toronto doesn't back down.

Benoit seems ready, and so do several other players including former Panther Steven Lorentz, who boldly claimed his friends were now enemies; that's the attitude the team needs; no friends, no fun, all business.

We'll have to see though how the game plays out, and as much as Benoit and the Maple Leafs are ready for the Panthers, they should not be overlooked.

They are one of the best teams over the last few seasons, and are stacked with talent, and have a couple of secret weapons at their disposal that might make things more difficult.

So let's just hope the team is up to the task, and Benoit isn't too overconfident about the Leafs' ability to handle the ravenous defending champions.