The Florida Panthers are in a must-win situation as they look to turn the tide in their second-round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. With Matthew Tkachuk leading the way, the defending champions will need to embrace head coach Paul Mauriceās message and find their strength in Game 3.
Playing at home could be a key factor for the Panthers as they try to come back from a 0-2 deficit in the series against the Maple Leafs. However, for Maurice, that alone wonāt be enough. The Florida head coach wasnāt satisfied with the teamās performance.
The Panthers have more than enough potential to put up a fight, which is why the Maple Leafs canāt afford to get comfortable. Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, and even Sam Bennett are some of the names expected to make an impact on the ice and shift the momentum. At the same time, Maurice emphasized the importance of playing at home.
Mauriceās clear message to Panthers
āWell, weāve been a good home team this year for sure. You get the positive feedback of good things that you do. We had a 2-on-1 with Matthew Tkachuk early in (Game 2) and he almost finds a hole, so you get a completely different review. You start feeling better about yourself and better about your game just on that, so it will be good to get home,ā Maurice said, according to NHL.com.
Head coach Paul Maurice of the Florida Panthers looks on during third period action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 8, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
Regarding the defensive issues, the Panthersā head coach said theyāve tried everything. āIf there was, we would have said it two games ago, so weāre not holding back any gems and thatās probably the most important thing you realize. We went on the road and lost two one-goal games, our game is not perfect, neither is theirs so you are looking for an adjustment to foundation rather than an adjustment to something unusual,ā Maurice said.
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NHL News: Brad Marchand delives 6-word wake-up call to Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers after deflating losses in series vs Leafs
Can the Panthers reverse the series?
The stats donāt offer much optimism for the Panthers. The Florida franchise has a 0-5 record when trailing 2-0 in a series. Tkachuk and the rest of the teamās stars will have to do something unprecedented, while also dealing with the teamās defensive issues. In the two games against the Maple Leafs, theyāve allowed nine goals. This problem had already shown up in the previous round, when they gave up 12 goals to the Toronto Maple Leafs, including an empty-netter.
