The Toronto Maple Leafs are doing a lot of things they haven’t done in a while this season. After topping their division for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, they broke an even older curse. For the first time since 1987, the Toronto Maple Leafs have gained a 2-0 series lead in the second round of the NHL playoffs. What makes it even more special is that the Leafs have done so against the defending champions. Meanwhile, Brad Marchand and Co. are feeling the heat.
After losing a close Game 1 with a final scoreline of 5-4 in the Leafs’ favor, the Panthers suffered another narrow defeat in Game 2. Despite their best effort, the 2024 champs just couldn’t take the lead as the Maple Leafs broke the tie in the third to win 4-3. However, the newest Florida Panthers star, Marchand, may know exactly what to change to save the series and their Stanley Cup dreams.
“You know, their biggest threat is they’re very good on the rush,” said the NHL veteran who spent 16 seasons with the Panthers’ rivals, the Boston Bruins. “I mean, you’ve got to be above them. It seemed like every time we gave them the opportunity to get above us, they created something or capitalized on it,” added Brad Marchand. Although their clashes have been incredibly scrappy, the 36-year-old believes he sees through the chaos.
“It doesn’t take much for them to score, you know. So we just have to make sure that we’re pretty much perfect out there on our defensive coverage,” explained the NHL star. However, that’s easier said than done. Rushing in hockey almost always happens when the opponents outnumber the defense. So it’s safe to say the Panthers’ defense has their work cut out.
“We have our work cut out. They’re obviously playing really well right now.”
Brad Marchand on what’s different about this season’s Maple Leafs pic.twitter.com/l4tFI77296
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 8, 2025
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