Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 03-28-2018
27th March 2018 by Gracenote
The surging Florida Panthers are in desperation mode as they attempt to overhaul New Jersey for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Florida sits three points behind the Devils for eighth place with two games in hand as it resumes a four-game road trip at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.
The Panthers have earned points in 14 of 17 games (13-3-1) since a 1-0 setback at Toronto on Feb. 20 -- a loss they avenged with a 3-2 shootout victory seven days later. "I really haven't been paying much attention to what's going on with the Devils and those other teams, but obviously we know it's tight and you can't afford to lose at this point," forward Nick Bjugstad said after Monday's 3-0 win over the New York Islanders. Florida has lost its last four visits to Atlantic Division rival Toronto, which is all but locked into third place with six games remaining and staring at a first-round playoff matchup against either Boston or Tampa Bay. The Maple Leafs had their 13-game home winning streak snapped in Monday's 3-2 loss to Buffalo, but can establish a franchise single-season record when they go for their 46th victory.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida, TVAS, Sportsnet (Toronto)
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (39-28-7): Coach Bob Boughner expects Roberto Luongo to return from a two-game injury absence Wednesday, but told the Sun-Sentinel of South Florida that "Lu's going through a bit of a tough time right now." If Luongo can't go, former Maple Leafs netminder James Reimer will look to continue his hot streak in which he has won five straight starts and posted two shutouts. Henrik Borgstrom, the team's 2016 first-round pick, could make his NHL debut after signing a three-year contract Monday.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (45-24-7): Center Nazem Kadri reached 30 goals for the second consecutive season by scoring for the seventh time in his last 10 games in the loss to Buffalo. "His shot, we always joke around with him that it's not a hard one, but he can aim a puck very well, you see it in practice every day," said forward Mitch Marner. Auston Matthews missed the previous matchup against the Panthers, but he has a point in all three games since rejoining the lineup following a month-long absence.
OVERTIME
1. Panthers C Aleksander Barkov has 32 points in 26 games since Feb. 1, never going two straight games without a point.
2. Maple Leafs G Frederik Andersen is seeking a career-high 36th win.
3. Panthers F Evgenii Dadonov has six goals and 11 assists in 14 games this month.
PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
27th March 2018 by Gracenote
The surging Florida Panthers are in desperation mode as they attempt to overhaul New Jersey for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Florida sits three points behind the Devils for eighth place with two games in hand as it resumes a four-game road trip at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.
The Panthers have earned points in 14 of 17 games (13-3-1) since a 1-0 setback at Toronto on Feb. 20 -- a loss they avenged with a 3-2 shootout victory seven days later. "I really haven't been paying much attention to what's going on with the Devils and those other teams, but obviously we know it's tight and you can't afford to lose at this point," forward Nick Bjugstad said after Monday's 3-0 win over the New York Islanders. Florida has lost its last four visits to Atlantic Division rival Toronto, which is all but locked into third place with six games remaining and staring at a first-round playoff matchup against either Boston or Tampa Bay. The Maple Leafs had their 13-game home winning streak snapped in Monday's 3-2 loss to Buffalo, but can establish a franchise single-season record when they go for their 46th victory.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida, TVAS, Sportsnet (Toronto)
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (39-28-7): Coach Bob Boughner expects Roberto Luongo to return from a two-game injury absence Wednesday, but told the Sun-Sentinel of South Florida that "Lu's going through a bit of a tough time right now." If Luongo can't go, former Maple Leafs netminder James Reimer will look to continue his hot streak in which he has won five straight starts and posted two shutouts. Henrik Borgstrom, the team's 2016 first-round pick, could make his NHL debut after signing a three-year contract Monday.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (45-24-7): Center Nazem Kadri reached 30 goals for the second consecutive season by scoring for the seventh time in his last 10 games in the loss to Buffalo. "His shot, we always joke around with him that it's not a hard one, but he can aim a puck very well, you see it in practice every day," said forward Mitch Marner. Auston Matthews missed the previous matchup against the Panthers, but he has a point in all three games since rejoining the lineup following a month-long absence.
OVERTIME
1. Panthers C Aleksander Barkov has 32 points in 26 games since Feb. 1, never going two straight games without a point.
2. Maple Leafs G Frederik Andersen is seeking a career-high 36th win.
3. Panthers F Evgenii Dadonov has six goals and 11 assists in 14 games this month.
PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
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