What Toronto Maple Leafs players said on eve of playoff series against Panthers
The Toronto Maple Leafs have revenge on the mind.
With the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs set to start tomorrow with Game 1 of the Maple Leafs’ series against the Florida Panthers, the final preparations are well underway.
Toronto took to the ice on Sunday morning for a final tuneup practice before they welcome in the defending Stanley Cup champions. The series is among the most anticipated as the Leafs are not only looking to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2002, but are also looking to get revenge.
The Panthers eliminated Toronto in the second round of the 2023 playoffs in just five games.
“I feel like we’re prepared, ready to go,” Auston Matthews told reporters on Sunday morning. “There is a lot of excitement going into it… We know the challenge that lies ahead, and it’s just taking it one step at a time.
“It’s going to be a fast, physical series… Gotta stay patient with our game, continue to compete out there and work for your chances.”
Matthews is still waiting to hit his stride in the postseason as he managed just two goals and eight points against the Ottawa Senators through that six-game first-round series. He will need to rediscover his scoring touch if the Leafs hope to knock off the Panthers.
While Matthews wears the “C” in Toronto, another veteran player who will be heavily relied upon is John Tavares, who is also looking to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in his career.
“[The Panthers] obviously developed a tremendous identity and pedigree that they have had a lot of success with,” Tavares told reporters. “Just the challenge they present, the defending champs, and knowing how hard they come at you, how hard they pressure, the skill and depth they have.
“It’s gonna be a heck of a test, and we’re excited about it. Should be a helluva series.”
Between the pipes, it will be an interesting battle as Anthony Stolarz will likely get the net against his former team. There are bound to be plenty of emotions for a goaltender stacking up on the other side of a team with which he won a Stanley Cup.
The goaltender told reporters he is ready to carve out a new path this season and isn’t afraid to go up against his old friends.
“I was close with a lot of guys [in Florida], it’s a pretty tight-knit group,” Stolarz said. “It’s gonna be exciting… It doesn’t matter who you face, you’re gonna wanna go out there and try to outduel them.
“I’m gonna go out there, work hard, have fun, and just enjoy this moment and this round with my teammates.”
In 2023, the Panthers were able to grab a Game 1 victory on home ice. We will see if the Leafs can flip that script on Monday night.