Florida leads the series with match wins 2–0.
Aleksander Barkov tries to crank Florida to a playoff series win. AOP / USA TODAY SPORTS
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a tight spot. The playoff series against the Florida Panthers is at 2–0. A win in Sunday night’s third match is practically mandatory, so that yet another spring doesn’t end in big disappointment.
Based on the opening set, the Torontonians answered the call. Already in the first attack Austin Matthews tipped the puck into the post, and even before the first timeout, the puck was in Florida’s goal.
Toronto’s lower chain got to try a two-on-one attack. Sam Lafferty hit a one-timer for his first of the playoffs to give Toronto the lead. The match had only been played for a good two minutes.
1–0 was also the half-time score. Both teams had their place in the set. Florida skipper Alexander Barkov full of side nets, but Ilya Samsonov the puck didn’t go behind. Also Eetu Luostarinen got a couple of good scoring chances.
Florida goal Sergei Bobrovsky gained momentum after a difficult start. Räpyläkäis swung in the opening set, especially once worthy of a really big save.
The Devils scored goals
In the second match of the night, the New York Devils beat the Carolina Hurricanes 8-4. In the goal celebration, the playoff defense was almost completely forgotten, but the fans liked it.
The Devils’ hero had collected two goals and two assists Jack Hughes. Only five of the Devils’ players scored points. Sadly, one of them was Erik Haula.
Sebastian Ahon The fifth hit of the playoff spring was Carolina’s thin consolation. The Finn also experienced hardness in the match, when Tomas Tatar would whack Aho in the head with his stick.
Tomas Tatar’s insane kick – Sebastian Aho caught the Devils striker in the head with the stick. NHL can be watched on Elisa Viihde Viaplay and v Sport channels.