The tables have just turned in round 2 of the playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. Toronto had managed to bag the first two wins of the series, and last year’s champions were looking like they were fighting for the tail ends of their glory, but then came game 3 and overtime and finally, Brad Marchand and a 5-4 overtime win for the Panthers. Florida came into game 3 with their full-on physical prowess in the offensive zone, and in the mix of things, Leaf’s defenseman Chris Tanev ended up taking a few hits and having to exit the game early; however, Leaf’s coach Craig Berube insists this had nothing to do with the hits.
Tanev, who was placed on injured reserve in February this year, took many hits during game 3 and walked off the ice in the third period, causing fans to worry about his shoulder that took the brunt of the impact in February. However, Berube insists that the injury had little to do with the hits he was taking during Florida’s extremely offensive play and more to do with an equipment change.
When asked in a postgame interview why Chris Tanev left, Berube answered, “You know, no real reason; it was just something he had to do with equipment. It was like nothing; he wasn’t hurt or anything. Yeah, I mean, they’re going to forecheck hard, and they’re physical; that’s the game, so. You know, can we get better holdups at times?”
“Yes,” he continued. “And I think that’s important that we do that, but you know, they’re going to, they’re going to bang the body. That’s what they do; they put rim, they rim everything in, and they’re going to get on you, and they’re going to be physical. He’s fine. I mean, it’s part of the game we got. You know we’re going to get hit, we’re going to hit. I mean, we just got to deal with it.”
While it’s important to note that Tanev is fine and will most likely make an appearance in game 4 of this series, it’s also curious that Berube makes a point not to find fault with Florida’s famously aggressive offense line. This could just be good old sportsmanship, or maybe Toronto’s tactic for game 4 is to come back harder?
Does game 4 between the Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers promise more physical play?
Craig Berube hasn’t shied away from the ‘physicality’ conversation when it comes to the Panthers and the Leafs series. Though the Leafs are not known for being an extremely physical team, currently ranking 12th amongst all the playoff teams in terms of hits per 60 minutes, Berube seems assured they can hold their ground and fight back when they need to.
Before this playoff series began, Berube was asked to comment on Florida’s mean game, a reference to Tkachuk, Bennet, and Marchand’s playing styles in the front line. Berube, however, didn’t take this bait. “They play a hard game. I agree,” the Leafs coach said. “They forecheck hard, and they’re physical. They’re in your face. But I don’t necessarily think they’re mean. That’s just their game.” Berube then went on to add, “Look, our guys, we’re a physical team, too, and we have to go out and be physical ourselves. We’ve got to initiate as much as possible.”
Somehow, the Leafs managed to stand their own against the super physical Senators, besides not being so outwardly physical, so maybe there is some subtle truth to what Berube is saying, some hidden weapons the Leafs are playing that are beyond the realms of the naked eye.
Their coach being a solid enforcer himself back in the day probably doesn’t hurt the Leafs’ physical strategizing. Craig Berube, over his professional career, racked up 3,149 penalty minutes, but does that mean the Leafs can keep up in game 4? Well, if Auston Matthews’ stick breaking is a sign of anything, it’s that the Toronto Maple Leafs have some pent-up rage they may just whip out when absolutely necessary! Fighting the reigning champions with Brad Marchand on their side is no joke.
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