Panthers Extend Win Streak to Six Games; Take 3-0 Series Lead

The Florida Panthers extended their playoff win streak to a franchise record six straight games and took a 3-0 series lead against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the process. Following their game seven win against the Bruins in Boston, the Panthers flew straight to Toronto where they won games one and two before finally returning home to Sunrise for game three. South Florida sports’ fans don’t have the best attendance history, especially within the NHL, but the FLA Live Arena was packed and rocking well before the puck dropped. 

Despite the incredible atmosphere created by Panthers’ fans, the Cats started out slowly after having two days off. The first period didn’t provide many scoring chances for either team, but the Leafs made the most of an opportunity early in the period as Sam Lafferty scored to give Toronto a 1-0 lead just over two minutes into the game. The defensive battle continued throughout the rest of the period and the Leafs carried that lead into the second period. 

A collision in front of the net just seconds into the second period changed the game. As Leafs’ players were racing back on defense, multiple players went down and slid into Toronto goalie Ilya Samsonov. Samsonov had to leave the game and was replaced by Joseph Woll. The Panthers took advantage of Wollhaving to come in right off the bench early in the second periodwith a power play goal by Anthony Duclair. Duclair sped through on a breakaway and put an incredible move on the Toronto goalie to even the game at one and send Panthers’ fans into a frenzy.

The Leafs responded quickly and regained the lead on an Erick Gustafsson goal less than five minutes after Duclair tied it at one. The second period scoring frenzy continued with a redirect goal by Carter Verhaeghe to once again tie the game. The 2-2 tie remained all throughout the last eight minutes of the second period and the entirety of the third period. Both Sergei Bobrovsky and Joseph Woll made great plays down the stretch to send the game to overtime. In overtime the Panthers had consistent offensive pressure from the start. After being denied on multiple scoring chances, Sam Reinhart became the hero in Sunrise with a beautiful wrap around goal to win the game for the Cats. 

Even without a point from their top players like Tkachuk and Montour, the Panthers managed to win and take a 3-0 lead by playing the cleanest game they’ve played all postseason. The Panthers are known for being undisciplined and spending way too much time in the penalty box, but in game three the Cats managed to not commit a single penalty. If the Panthers can continue to play disciplined and stay out of the penalty box, they will be a very tough out as the playoffs get deeper. Florida will have a few days off before going for the sweep on Wednesday at 7:00pm. If the Cats can close out the series on Wednesday night, they will have some time off before taking on the winner of the Hurricanes and the Devils in the conference finals.