Leaf fans got to see the Florida Panthers for the first time this season tonight. No, this is not the same Panthers team that won the President’s Trophy last year. This new version got off to a slow start, ran in to injury problems and had a few new faces to introduce – like new Head Coach Paul Maurice and new top scorer Mathew Tkachuck. They sport a 21-20-4 record, 11 points out of the playoffs and have won 2 in a row. Goalie Bobrov was in for his 5th game in a row.
The Leafs are coming off a 2 game losing string sporting a 26-11-7 and put Matt Murray in net for his 2 nd consecutive game. Nylander was back with AM34 and Bobby McMann drew in.
Former Leaf draft pick Verhague opened the scoring with an upstairs glove roof. Yet to be anointed Dryden Hunt scored his first from Morgan Reilly just :48 seconds later. While Toronto was trying to score on their third PP in a row, Anton Ludell converted a nice rebound off Barkov for the shorty and a 2-1 lead. Florida seemed to have the edge along the boards despite being out shot by Tranna. The always useful Alex Kerfoot scored his 9th thanks to Jarnkrok and Liligrean, before Josh Mahura surprised just about everybody with another high glove snipe to end the period 3-2 FLA.
Leafs Nation was a little shocked to be down early in the second when Captain Barkov scored to put the Panthers up 4 to 2 less than 2 minutes in. That also led to a bench warming for Murray (4 goals allowed on 8 shots). Toronto never showed any signs of give throughout and some late period nastiness led to my boy (coached him in TIMBITS in the 90’s) Nick Cousins to bring on some hate. This altercation behind the Leafs net resulted in Mathews and Bunting in the cooler as well as Cousins and his pal in the box. Not long after my formerly favorite Panther, Radim Gudas took Engvall out at the knees. When Ashton-Reese came to challenge that, Gudas turtled causing Ashton-Reese a trip to the box. With only 2 seconds left, Mathews converted a typical snipe from Nylander and Marner to make the upcoming 3rd even more interesting. BTW, that was Mitchell’s 19th consecutive home point, eliminating another record from the great Daryl Sittler.
The third played out as anticipated. End to end – crowd totally engaged. Willy Nye got his first in 6 games to tie things up. 4-4 – that stood up until overtime when – SURPRISE – Nylander won it all with his 24th to end the night with 2g 1a. Great game !
HOPPER NOTES: My grand daughter IZZY was at her first Leafs game tonight and what a beauty to witness ! …who would you have as your senior citizen: Marc Giordano and Eric Stall ? …my pal Roddy warned me about high glove side with Matt Murray – hope he’s wrong…was Tkachuk on the ice tonight ? …guys I’d like on my team: Alexander Barkov, a Selke and Lady Byng winner…you only have one life to live – live it well – CHEERS !