(SUNRISE, Fla.) — Panthers It was virtually automatic for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Auston Matthews, and John Tavares would all score.
At least, such was the case until the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Three games into this series against the Florida Panthers and that formidable foursome has been blanked.
After scoring at least once in 81 of Toronto’s 88 games before this series, Marner, Nylander, Matthews, and Tavares have combined for exactly zero goals in the Panthers’ meeting.
“Bobrovsky,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice stated, providing the most straightforward and true answer. “That would be the end of that answer.”
Sergei Bobrovsky of the Panthers has stopped everything they’ve thrown at him.
In the first three games, Matthews had sent 14 shots against Bobrovsky. Nylander has done the same. Tavares has scored 12 goals. Marner has taken nine shots.
There have been 49 shots on goal in total, with Bobrovsky going 49-for-49. After a 3-2 overtime win on Sunday, the Panthers now lead the series 3-0 and have a chance to send Toronto home with a sweep on Wednesday night.
“We’re trying to do all the right things,” Marner remarked. Panthers “I believe we’ve had our chances.” We’ve had our moments. It just has yet to work out for us. For us, it’s about continuing to do the right things on the ice, getting around the net more, and creating second chances.
The stats are astonishing, both to explain those four players’ success and all the success they aren’t currently enjoying.
Three games into this series against the Florida Panthers and that formidable foursome has been blanked.
“I can continue to put them in positions to succeed.” According to Leaf’s coach Sheldon Keefe on Monday, that would be the first step. “And then, just like the rest of our team, our focus has to be on doing what we can control and focusing on the things that truly matter.”
Toronto’s top four scorers combined for at least 10 points in five games this season, scored six goals twice — once late in the regular season against Montreal Panthers and again in Round 1 of the playoffs against Tampa Bay — and never went two games without a goal.
It’s been back-to-back-to-back games in this series – and counting.
“All different games,” Maurice observed. “I believe (Game 3) was difficult for our custodian to play….” These are postseason games. They only show the smallest of plays. Every play is dangerous, so there’s more offense than you think.”
During the regular season, Marner, Nylander, Matthews, and Tavares combined for 146 goals and 351 points. Other than four total assists in the three games, the Panthers have done more than keep them off the scoresheet. They also minimized their chances in Game 3, which was crucial.
Consider this: the four players combined for only seven shots on goal on Sunday night. Nylander had that many in Florida’s 4-2 victory in Game 1. However, Maurice noted that the figures don’t always tell the full story and that a couple of inches to the left or right on many shots might change how the stat sheet looked.
“We’ve just got to find a way to capitalize a little more,” Tavares added. “They’re defending quite close around their goal. We did not make the necessary plays to achieve the desired outcome.”
NOTES: Leafs G Ilya Samsonov has been scheduled for an MRI exam to evaluate the extent of the injury that forced him out of Game 3 early in the second period, according to Keefe. Samsonov was doing better on Monday, according to Keefe. Neither team practiced on Monday; instead, they met. Monday’s statement comes from Maurice, riding a franchise-record six-game postseason winning streak with Florida: “Play your (butt) off and see what happens.”
SOURCE — (AP)
