Post by Deleted on May 11, 2014 16:07:10 GMT -5
Playoff Series Matchup (Atlantic Division Semi Finals) Florida Panthers (2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (3)
Sunrise, FL - It's been three seasons since the Florida Panthers have qualified for the playoffs. Back then, the Panthers relied on a core consisting of Jonathon Toews, Chris Drury, Paul Kariya, and Jerome Iginla to lead them the playoff success. Times in the Sunshine State have clearly changed as the only active roster member left from the Panthers 09-10 team is Colton Orr. Leading the new wave of talent in Florida are the likes of Matt Duchene, Kyle Turris, Henrik Sedin, Patrick Marleau and Phil Kessel. But even though the Florida Panthers boast a heap of talent, the Panthers are very aware that the Toronto Maple Leafs are more than capable of stealing this series.
Just two seasons removed from bringing the Stanley Cup back to Toronto, the Maple Leafs have been said to be on the brink of a "rebuild". Despite moving some big names on their roster, the Maple Leafs have stayed atop the East's best, finishing the season with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games and finishing only 7 points behind their first round opponents. Although their roster isnt exactly as star studded as some of the teams Maple Leaf GM Eugene Sorokin has been able to ice in the past, the Panthers know that the likes of Joe Thornton, Alex Ovechkin and Joe Pavelski can be deadly. "We know what they're capable of... we just have to try to contain their big guys and force some of their role players to play bigger roles than they're capable of," determined Panthers Coach Doug Gilmour added. "But we also need to understand that we're only going to beat them if we play our game."
By playing their game, the Panthers know that they need to continue to play a high octane offensive game. The Panthers have scored the most goals in the Eastern Conference this season, averaging 3.51 goals per game. As offensively gifted as they've been, there have been glaring struggles on the defensive end..... translating to the goaltending. If there's one component of this matchup that the Panthers may be at a disadvantage, many would point to the goaltending. In the 19 games that Ryan Miller has played for the Maple leafs since being acquired from Washington, Miller holds a 12-6 record with a .910 save percentage and a Goals Against Average of 2.44. In comparison with the Panthers, James Reimer has a record of 50-17-7 with a save percentage of just .889 but a respectable Goals Against Average of 2.76. Although some may make a big deal of the goaltending matchup, dont expect the Panthers to buy in. "We're more than comfortable with Reims in the crease and don't feel that they've got an advantage at all," Captain Matt Duchene Responded. "Reims is a big boy, his play will do the talkin."
With the Panthers finishing 2nd in the Atlantic, the series will start in the Sunshine State for Games 1 and 2 before moving north of the border for Games 3 and 4. Starting out at home, the Panthers are aware of how important it will be to get off to a good start. "We know that we need to get off to a great start and take care of home ice. If we do that, it puts pressure on them to go back home and do the same," said Phil Kessel.
One of the more unique storylines in this first round series is the fact that both GM's Kevin Singh and Eugune Sorokin are actual friends outside of the hockey world, stemming from their friendship as highschool school mates in the Greater Toronto Area. Even though they rarely find time to get together these days, clearly bragging rights will be on the line. "Of course we want this series, there's obviously that competitive spirit about going up against someone that you know on a personal level and respect their hockey intelligence. Eug is a great guy and I'm sure he's going to want to beat me just as much as I want to beat him". Jokingly, Leafs GM Eugene Sorokin had reportedly predicted a clean sweep for his Leafs in the series against Florida writing "Leafs in 4". When asked, GM Kevin Singh Laughed it off "That's what I'm talking about....that's the competitive spirit in him. It's all in good fun, but once the puck drops in Game 1... we're not friends until this thing is over".
Having finished the season on a 7 game winning streak, the Panthers will opt to go with the same lineup to start Game 1. The Panthers believe that the only way they'll be able to beat the former Stanley Cup Champions will be to fight fire with fire. Whether or not the inferno of the Panthers will be enough for an experienced Leafs team, remains to be seen.
Panthers Starting Lineup for Game 1
Forwards:
Line 1: Skinner - Sedin - Stewart
Line 2: Marleau - Duchene - Kessel
Line 3: Henrique - Turris - Condra
Line 4: Smyth - Mclement - Kessel
Defense:
Pairing 1: Markov - Hjalmarsson
Pairing 2: Salvador - Garrison
Pairing 3: Vlasic - Murray
Starting Goaltender: James Reimer
Backup: Jonathon Bernier
Key Matchups
Forward Matchups:
Top Scoring Threats: Phil Kessel (42 G, 55 A, 97 Pts) vs. Alex Ovechkin (37 G, 39 A, 76 Pts)
Top Centreman Comparison: Matt Duchene (31 G, 52 A, 83 Pts) vs. Joe Thornton (21 G, 49 A, 70 Pts)
Top Offensive Defenseman: Andrei Markov (12 G, 52 A, 62 Pts) vs. Travis Hamonic (3 G, 28A, 31 Pts)
Starting Goalie Matchup: James Reimer (50-17-7, .889 Sv Pct, 2.76 GAA) vs. Ryan Miller (19-38-4, .900 Sv Pct, 2.93 GAA)
Ice Breakers: Henrik Sedin (29 G, 56 A, 85 Pts) vs. Joe Pavelski (37 G, 52 A, 89 Pts)
Season Series Matchup
Panthers won Season series 2-0 in Regulation Wins, with one overtime loss, one shootout win
Panthers outscored Maple Leafs 14-10 in 4 games
Series Schedule and TV Broadcast Schedule
Game 1 - Monday, May 12th:Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers 7pm ET on CBC
Game 2 - Wednesday May 14th: Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers 7pm ET on CBC
Game 3 - Friday May 16th: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs 7pm ET on CBC
Game 4 - Sunday May 18th: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs 3pm ET (National Broadcast on CBC and NBC)
Game 5 - Tuesday May 20th: Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers TBD (If Necessary)
Game 6 - Thursday May 22nd: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs TBD (If Necessary)
Game 7 - Saturday May 24th: Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers TBD (If Necessary)
Sunrise, FL - It's been three seasons since the Florida Panthers have qualified for the playoffs. Back then, the Panthers relied on a core consisting of Jonathon Toews, Chris Drury, Paul Kariya, and Jerome Iginla to lead them the playoff success. Times in the Sunshine State have clearly changed as the only active roster member left from the Panthers 09-10 team is Colton Orr. Leading the new wave of talent in Florida are the likes of Matt Duchene, Kyle Turris, Henrik Sedin, Patrick Marleau and Phil Kessel. But even though the Florida Panthers boast a heap of talent, the Panthers are very aware that the Toronto Maple Leafs are more than capable of stealing this series.
Just two seasons removed from bringing the Stanley Cup back to Toronto, the Maple Leafs have been said to be on the brink of a "rebuild". Despite moving some big names on their roster, the Maple Leafs have stayed atop the East's best, finishing the season with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games and finishing only 7 points behind their first round opponents. Although their roster isnt exactly as star studded as some of the teams Maple Leaf GM Eugene Sorokin has been able to ice in the past, the Panthers know that the likes of Joe Thornton, Alex Ovechkin and Joe Pavelski can be deadly. "We know what they're capable of... we just have to try to contain their big guys and force some of their role players to play bigger roles than they're capable of," determined Panthers Coach Doug Gilmour added. "But we also need to understand that we're only going to beat them if we play our game."
By playing their game, the Panthers know that they need to continue to play a high octane offensive game. The Panthers have scored the most goals in the Eastern Conference this season, averaging 3.51 goals per game. As offensively gifted as they've been, there have been glaring struggles on the defensive end..... translating to the goaltending. If there's one component of this matchup that the Panthers may be at a disadvantage, many would point to the goaltending. In the 19 games that Ryan Miller has played for the Maple leafs since being acquired from Washington, Miller holds a 12-6 record with a .910 save percentage and a Goals Against Average of 2.44. In comparison with the Panthers, James Reimer has a record of 50-17-7 with a save percentage of just .889 but a respectable Goals Against Average of 2.76. Although some may make a big deal of the goaltending matchup, dont expect the Panthers to buy in. "We're more than comfortable with Reims in the crease and don't feel that they've got an advantage at all," Captain Matt Duchene Responded. "Reims is a big boy, his play will do the talkin."
With the Panthers finishing 2nd in the Atlantic, the series will start in the Sunshine State for Games 1 and 2 before moving north of the border for Games 3 and 4. Starting out at home, the Panthers are aware of how important it will be to get off to a good start. "We know that we need to get off to a great start and take care of home ice. If we do that, it puts pressure on them to go back home and do the same," said Phil Kessel.
One of the more unique storylines in this first round series is the fact that both GM's Kevin Singh and Eugune Sorokin are actual friends outside of the hockey world, stemming from their friendship as highschool school mates in the Greater Toronto Area. Even though they rarely find time to get together these days, clearly bragging rights will be on the line. "Of course we want this series, there's obviously that competitive spirit about going up against someone that you know on a personal level and respect their hockey intelligence. Eug is a great guy and I'm sure he's going to want to beat me just as much as I want to beat him". Jokingly, Leafs GM Eugene Sorokin had reportedly predicted a clean sweep for his Leafs in the series against Florida writing "Leafs in 4". When asked, GM Kevin Singh Laughed it off "That's what I'm talking about....that's the competitive spirit in him. It's all in good fun, but once the puck drops in Game 1... we're not friends until this thing is over".
Having finished the season on a 7 game winning streak, the Panthers will opt to go with the same lineup to start Game 1. The Panthers believe that the only way they'll be able to beat the former Stanley Cup Champions will be to fight fire with fire. Whether or not the inferno of the Panthers will be enough for an experienced Leafs team, remains to be seen.
Panthers Starting Lineup for Game 1
Forwards:
Line 1: Skinner - Sedin - Stewart
Line 2: Marleau - Duchene - Kessel
Line 3: Henrique - Turris - Condra
Line 4: Smyth - Mclement - Kessel
Defense:
Pairing 1: Markov - Hjalmarsson
Pairing 2: Salvador - Garrison
Pairing 3: Vlasic - Murray
Starting Goaltender: James Reimer
Backup: Jonathon Bernier
Key Matchups
Forward Matchups:
Top Scoring Threats: Phil Kessel (42 G, 55 A, 97 Pts) vs. Alex Ovechkin (37 G, 39 A, 76 Pts)
Top Centreman Comparison: Matt Duchene (31 G, 52 A, 83 Pts) vs. Joe Thornton (21 G, 49 A, 70 Pts)
Top Offensive Defenseman: Andrei Markov (12 G, 52 A, 62 Pts) vs. Travis Hamonic (3 G, 28A, 31 Pts)
Starting Goalie Matchup: James Reimer (50-17-7, .889 Sv Pct, 2.76 GAA) vs. Ryan Miller (19-38-4, .900 Sv Pct, 2.93 GAA)
Ice Breakers: Henrik Sedin (29 G, 56 A, 85 Pts) vs. Joe Pavelski (37 G, 52 A, 89 Pts)
Season Series Matchup
Panthers won Season series 2-0 in Regulation Wins, with one overtime loss, one shootout win
Panthers outscored Maple Leafs 14-10 in 4 games
Series Schedule and TV Broadcast Schedule
Game 1 - Monday, May 12th:Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers 7pm ET on CBC
Game 2 - Wednesday May 14th: Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers 7pm ET on CBC
Game 3 - Friday May 16th: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs 7pm ET on CBC
Game 4 - Sunday May 18th: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs 3pm ET (National Broadcast on CBC and NBC)
Game 5 - Tuesday May 20th: Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers TBD (If Necessary)
Game 6 - Thursday May 22nd: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs TBD (If Necessary)
Game 7 - Saturday May 24th: Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers TBD (If Necessary)