Panthers Cut Series Deficit to 2-1
The Florida Panthers have cut their series deficit to 2-1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs after a thrilling 5-4 win in overtime. Brad Marchand scored the winning goal at 15:27 of overtime, rendering the Maple Leafs’ strong start and statistics moot.
First Period Struggles
The Maple Leafs got off to a strong start, with Matthew Knies scoring just 23 seconds into the game. John Tavares made it 2-0 at 5:57, putting the Panthers in trouble. However, a diving Aleksander Barkov threw the puck at the net and saw it carom in off a Toronto stick to get Florida on the board.
Turning the Tide
Tavares scored again early in the second for a 3-1 Leafs lead, but the Panthers needed a break and it came when Sam Reinhart was credited with a goal after Joseph Woll thought he covered up the puck following a scrum in front of the net. The goal was awarded after review, and it gave Florida life. Carter Verhaeghe tied it at 3-3 about a minute later, and Jonah Gadjovich made it 4-3 late in the second.
Overtime Thriller
Morgan Rielly tied it midway through the third, sending the game to overtime. Marchand, a longtime Toronto playoff nemesis from his days in Boston, got the biggest goal of Florida’s season, scoring on a deflected shot at 15:27 of overtime. Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves for the Panthers, while Joseph Woll stopped 32 shots for the Maple Leafs.
Statistical Analysis
The win was a significant upset, given the Maple Leafs’ strong statistics. They were 30-3-0 when leading after the first period, including playoffs, and 38-8-2 when scoring first. They had also blown only 11 leads all season, none in the playoffs, and were 44-3-1 in games where they led by two goals or more. However, Marchand’s goal rendered all these statistics moot, and the Panthers will look to build on this momentum in Game 4.
Game 4 Preview
Game 4 will be in Sunrise on Sunday night, and the Panthers will be looking to tie the series. The Maple Leafs will be seeking to regain their lead and take a step closer to advancing to the next round.
Conclusion
The Panthers’ win was a thrilling upset, and it has given them new life in the series. With Marchand’s goal, they have cut their deficit to 2-1 and will look to build on this momentum in Game 4. The series is now heating up, and fans can expect more exciting games to come.
FAQs
- What was the final score of the game? The final score was 5-4 in favor of the Panthers.
- Who scored the winning goal? Brad Marchand scored the winning goal at 15:27 of overtime.
- What is the current state of the series? The Panthers have cut their deficit to 2-1, with Game 4 to be played in Sunrise on Sunday night.
- What were the Maple Leafs’ statistics going into the game? The Maple Leafs were 30-3-0 when leading after the first period, 38-8-2 when scoring first, and 44-3-1 in games where they led by two goals or more.
The Panthers will be looking to tie the series in Game 4, and the Maple Leafs will be seeking to regain their lead. The series is now heating up, and fans can expect more exciting games to come.
