The Toronto Maple Leafs will face the sleeping Florida Panthers tonight as they finish their Florida road-trip.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to bounce back from a shootout loss last night against Tampa as they face Florida tonight at 7:30 PM. Expected is that super backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney will start for Toronto, as he has done so far for every second back-to-back game.
This will be the third time these teams meet, the second time in Florida this year. So far both teams have won one each, with Toronto having the edge for taking one point in a shootout loss.
Florida Panthers
While still very much contending for a wildcard spot for the 2018 playoffs, the Panthers have been suspiciously quiet during the trade deadline. Not acquiring any pieces that would help them make a push for it for the remainder of the season. Their last trade, in fact, was for centre Frank Vartrado on February 22, from the Boston Bruins. Frank Vartrado has played only 25 games with the Boston Bruins this year and has not yet dressed up for Florida, making it difficult to call him a reinforcement for the playoff pursuit.
The Panthers currently sit 7 points from the last wildcard spot in the East. They do, however, have four games in hand over the currently holding that spot, the Columbus Blue Jackets. So while they are still contending the Panthers were neither buyers nor sellers at the trade deadline. It was rumored they were in the market for Montreal’s Max Pacioretty, but nothing has happened and Pacioretty is still in Montreal.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs were a little less quiet than the Panthers in the trade market. Successfully landing Tomas Plekanec from their arch-rivals the Montreal Canadiens. With the acquisition of Plekanec, Toronto landed their coveted their fourth-line centre to give them more depth down the middle.
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Toronto has been hot in the month of February, already setting a franchise record of winning 10 games. In the month of February Toronto played 13 games so far, setting a record of 10-2-1. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be looking to sharpen that record when they conclude the month tonight in Florida.
I’ve said it
I expect fire tonight from Mitch Marner, who has tallied 16 points in his last 9 games. With that insane record, Marner has taken over the lead for points of Toronto, now leading with 53 points in 65 games played.
In Florida, Vincent Trocheck is having himself a career year. Already breaking his career-high in points (54) with gathering 55 points so far on the season.
Next: Post Deadline Enemy's Insight
I feel the Panthers are still sound-asleep, in their midst of winter hibernation, giving the Leafs a chance to improve their February record to 11-2-1.
Enjoy the game!
All stats from hockey-reference