The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a 3-0 hole after losing 3-2 against the Florida Panthers in game three on Sunday.
In all three games against the Panthers, the Toronto Maple Leafs have only been able to score two goals in each game.
Unfortunately for them, it has not been enough to win. There have been stretches in each game where Toronto is in complete control of the game, but for whatever reason, the Leafs let that control slip away.
Turnovers have cost Toronto dearly in this round-two series. Giving up 2-0 leads in the playoffs can’t happen. The Leafs were the benefactors of Tampa blowing leads in round one, but now it’s Toronto finding themselves on the losing end of those scenarios. With one more loss, Toronto’s season will come to an end.
Toronto’s core four of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander were instrumental in helping Toronto beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in round one. They’ve mostly been no-shows in round two, costing the Leafs the series. All four need to show up in game four if they plan to play beyond Wednesday.
Matthews against Tampa: five goals and four assists, Florida: two assists.
Marner against Tampa: two goals and nine assists, Florida: one assist.
Tavares against Tampa: four goals and three assists, Florida: zero points.
Nylander against Tampa: two goals and five assists, Florida: one assist.
(Stats from hockey-reference.com)
Toronto Maple Leafs Minor Leagues Doing Well
The Maple Leafs might not be doing so well, but the Toronto Marlies and Newfoundland Growlers are finding success.
Toronto Marlies Advance to Round Three
The Toronto Marlies beat the Utica Comets 4-1 in game four of their best-of-five second-round series. Toronto won the series 3-1 and advanced to the third round. The Marlies will play the Rochester Americans in the AHL North Division Final. Game one is on Thursday, May 11th, in Toronto.
Carl Dahlstrom and Matteo Pietroniro each scored their first goal of the playoffs. Team captain Logan Shaw scored his fourth, while Kyle Clifford scored his third into an empty net. Goaltender Erik Kallgren is 2-0 in the playoffs since returning from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has a 1.50 GAA and a .945 SV%. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)
Newfoundland Growlers Leading Second Round Series in ECHL Playoffs
The Newfoundland Growlers are the Toronto Maple Leafs ECHL team. They have a 2-0 record in their second-round, best-of-seven series against the Reading Royals.
The Growlers won the first game 3-0 and beat the Royals 5-4 in overtime to win game two. Game three will be on Tuesday, May 9th.