Toronto Maple Leafs prove that they can win the first game, but must win the war now – Hockey Writer –

Game 1 between Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers seemed to have it all, from goals to fireworks to tight effects. This is to point out that the future series will be one of the classic games. The Maple Leafs will push the Panthers, and they will fight back on the side of things to bring this series close.

Related: Berube Speaks: Will Maple Leaf seek retribution for Stolarz's hit?

Currently, the Maple Leafs survived a 5-4 victory, with them leading 1-0. The problem is that the series is far from over. Many twists and turns await, while two head coaches, Craig Berube and Paul Maurice, will adjust after a high-scoring match 1.

Maple Leaf fights and plays the first game

Monday night’s game was the type of game that the Maple Leafs would lose last season. They led 4-1 into the third stage and then allowed back-to-back goals. With backup goalkeeper Joseph Woll entering the net, the Panthers slashed the tired defense, which is a game they will surely lose, right? Even with a two-minute lead of two goals, there is no sense of safety yet (just ask the St. Louis Blues).

However, despite allowing the goal in the final minutes to reduce the lead to 5-4, the Maple Leafs remained and won the game. They have all the excuses to give up on this game, or everything that is beyond control seems to be their revocation, and they are still ranked No. 1.

The first game win was impressive, they remained ahead of the offense. They score by performing, not sitting down to fight on their defense or back-up goalkeepers. It is this adjustment that is different from the first round of the Ottawa Senators. It makes the maple leaf look like a team, in the playoffs, understand the situation and win the game accordingly, allowing them to string some of the wins together.

The Maple Leafs took the momentum in the third stage, beating the Panthers, known for their comeback. The first game is just the beginning of a long-term series. This reminds us that the Maple Leafs may have played in the first game, but each game will be a fight until the end of the match with these Panthers.

Black Panthers are used to the long game

The Deep Playoffs will teach a team a lot of things. One course the Panthers learn is that every game is like a sprint, but the playoffs are still a marathon (at least 16 games, up to 28 games). One game won’t make a difference, there will be a few games, and it takes a lot of stamina to reach the Stanley Cup final and win everything.

The Panthers lost their first game, but they were ready for the series win. The offense was good and they saw how the Maple Leafs would beat them on the other end of the ice and play north and south on the ice and find shots in the high style area. The Panthers are ready to adjust, they will.

Most importantly, they knew they could make this series a physical dish, and maple leaves, like the first round of Tampa Bay lightning, did not respond. The Panthers have become “broad street bullies” of the 2020s until a team knocks them out, and they will continue to play and win with physically, hard and pre-challenging hockey brands.

Game 1 was a shock for the Panthers, who thought they would win until the slow pace paid the price. They are chasing the game, usually the team that defines the tone. The Panthers are used to the lifespan of the playoff series and will make adjustments to prevent Maple Leaf from being surprised again.

Stolarz and Maple Leaf’s Focus

There are two ways to look at how Sam Bennett collided with Anthony Stolarz. It was a head strike against the Maple Leaf goalkeeper, removing him from the game and sending him to the hospital without causing a suspension. So let's try to look at these two points.

Maple Leaf Perspective: That hit rate and dirty! The elbows were stretched toward the mind, deliberately setting Stolarz out of the game and the series. Bennett knows what he is doing, and of course he will deny it the next day. If the NHL has any standards, it will pause him. The league has to protect its goalkeepers, which is bad, especially in the playoffs where the referees swallowed the whistle.

Black Panther's View: In the playoffs, physical games are common, that is hockey games. Bennett tried to get online and collided with Stolarz, but he didn't do his best. Like Nazem Kadri's clash with Jordan Binnington in the second round of 2022, or Chris Kreider's flight to Carey Price in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. These dramas happened and they were dirty. However, they are part of the game, especially in the playoffs. Call Bennett a dirty player, but if Max Domi does the same thing, you might appreciate his urge to go to the dirty area and try to make the game.

Regardless of how the team should play, the most important thing is that Stolarz is not recovering from a concussion for the time being. Maple Leafs must win in the net, or prove that they can win, regardless of their goalkeepers, if they get elite games between pipes. They did it all season and now, it's about proving that they can do it in the playoffs.

The best way to help a goalkeeper is to solve the defense. The Maple Leafs allowed 29 photos in Game 1, which wasn't a lot for Stralds, but for Wall in the playoffs (met 20 photos in 30 minutes of relief). The Maple Leafs’ poor performance on defense is a real problem, especially in series that are easily round-trip, high-scoring series.

The progress started with the defensive forces, with Chris Tanev, Jake McCabe and Morgan Rielly all strengthening the offense on the offense in Game 1 as they had to do well in their own games all season. The improvements also stem from Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander strengthening on defense. Stars played well against the Senators on both ends of the ice and they had to play against the Panthers again.

Maple leaves must prove why this time is different

Maple Leaf survived Game 1, where they built lead and closed the Panthers' door. This is not a new thing for maple leaves. They have started a strong start before, but that's not the concern of them or the fan base.

They had previously won the early series lead and also took the lead in the previous round. It's all about finishing. The Maple Leafs struggled against the Senators, defeating the lead in the third phase of Games 2 and 3, while the losses in Games 4 and 5 were almost completely lost to the series. Put the Panthers gently in the late game, or as the series progresses, they will only see them watching the Eastern Conference finals on the couch.

Maple leaves must end this series. They started a hot start, and the real challenge was. For teams looking to win a long-term game against the Panthers, winning the second game at home, it is a team that has to finish the game multiple times before.