After entering the second round of the playoffs as betting underdogs, the Toronto Maple Leafs put the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on the ropes.
With a spirited and complete 4-3 win in Game 2, the Leafs jumped out to a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Game 2 offered entertainment value and back-and-forth hockey that is not always anticipated in playoff games. While the Panthers owned most of the five-on-five possession and expected goals, the Leafs showed a quality they’ve often lacked: unmitigated pushback.
The Leafs got back in the game after being down in the first and second periods. Max Domi’s goal on a two-on-one gave the Leafs a second-period lead and sent a tense Scotiabank Arena crowd into a frenzy. And just 17 seconds after the Panthers tied the game in the third period, Mitch Marner’s wild shot from distance found its way past Sergei Bobrovsky. Add in goals from William Nylander and Max Pacioretty, and the Leafs certainly got the bounces in Game 2.
The underlying numbers may suggest a different outcome, sure. But if we’re judging on effort alone, you can’t argue with the result the Leafs got in Game 2.