The Florida Panthers stood tied for the final East Division Wild Card position, tied with the Islanders at 91 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins were just one point back. They have won 6 games in a row to jump back into contention. Did Daddy Walt Tkachuk’s verbal shot calling out the Panthers for being “soft” have something to do with all of the above ? Or was it Coach Maurice’ rant ?
The big news for the Toronto Maple Leafs on this day was the official signing of 6’3”, 210 pound, second round pick Mathew Knies. Leafs Nation are finding it hard not to be excited about a Hobey Baker candidate, who is coming off the final in the US College Frozen Four. He wore # 23. Let’s see where Coach Keefe plays him. Sam Lafferty and Calle Jarnkrok sat out with nagging injuries and ECHL Goalie Nick Chinard sat in as back-up.
Not a whole lot to report after the first, other than new Leaf prospect Knies did NOT look out of place, especially along the wall. He even got a chance to play LW with AM34 and MM16. His normal assignment looked to be with Kerfoot and Accurai. The Tavares (LW), Ryan Orielly, William Nylander looked dominant on a few occasions. A desperate Florida team out shot the Leaf 15-8.
Now, I don’t usually add culinary reviews to my exposes, but I have a FRESHII right around the corners and I just devoured one of their bowls – Avacodo, hard boiled egg, a black been concoction that was out of this world, Kale and a row of Cirachi…heaven ! Anyway, back to hockey…Mathew Marner set up his best pal Austin Mathews for his 40th goal and his 299th of his career to make it 1 zip with just 2:10 left. That was Mitchy’s 99th point of the season.
Toronto killers Brandon Montour and his little pal Verheghee tied things up mid third period and you just knew this was going down to the wire. Coach Keefe kept throwing out Marner/Mathews to make their marks. Back and forth the clubs went. Florida desperate to make the 2 points. OVERTIME.
Jezzuz keep those name bubbles off my broadcast ! Great action from both squads – Captain Johhny, despite being out there for a 2:26 shift, found enough gas to flip a beaut over a Valliant FLA goalie to put it away.
HOPPER NOTES: is Bunting going to be our new Kadri and run himself out of town over stupid, selfish plays ? 46 saves for Sammi tonight – but, is it just me or is he rather slow getting up after many of his fine saves ? Please don’t make him a China Doll – sit him out these last 2 meaningless games ! …was there a Tkachuk playing tonight ? Mathew Knies got smacked around a little in the second but he looks like a keeper to me…the playoffs start one week from tonight – FINALLY ! Boy, don’t you wish you were the “bubble” guy that gets to place all those useless supers to appear ? My protégé Nick Cousins saw limited action tonight…it must be hard for the Leafs roster to be at all interested in these last 2 games…CHEERS and let’s “Get it On” next Monday/Tuesday…