The smell of playoff hockey was thick at the Leafs’ practice facility Monday, the air buzzing with the kind of energy only revenge can generate. The Florida Panthers flew into Toronto with their signature swagger and punishing forecheck, ready to resume a rivalry that left scars last spring. But this time, the Maple Leafs have a new bench boss, a sharper power play , and a locker room growing with fatherhood and perspective. Game 1 looms, and both sides are rolling in with their most dangerous weapons locked and loaded.
Can Toronto Maple Leafs ' power play overcome Florida Panthers' heavy-handed pressure?
Florida Panthers’ head coach Paul Maurice isn’t one to hide the strategy. Florida's game plan isn’t complicated—it’s just hell to play against.
“Are they mean?” Leafs coach Craig Berube repeated with a smirk when asked about the Cats’ aggressive style. “They play a hard game. They forecheck hard. They’re physical. And they’re in your face the whole game. I don’t necessarily think it’s mean. That’s just their game.”
That game has been Florida’s ticket to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals . Dump it deep, hammer the retrieval man, smother the first pass, and activate the defence. Simple. Brutal. Effective.
“They’re hard on pucks, and their D are aggressive,” said Morgan Rielly. “We’re gonna have to talk about (their forecheck). That’s a big part of their game.”
Newcomer Seth Jones , now immersed in the “Way of the Cat,” puts it plainly: “You have your guy, a tight gap on your guy. You don’t give him time and space.”
And when Florida’s forecheck wears you down, it unlocks their other strength—their penalty kill. Top-ranked in the postseason at 88.9 percent, it’s an extension of their pressure-first identity.
“Pressure them hard,” Jones said. “Don’t let them get comfortable.”
But Toronto isn’t showing up empty-handed. Their power play has been deadly, clicking at a blazing 35.3 percent. Mitch Marner ’s movement across the zone and the five-forward unit’s chaos brought Ottawa to its knees in Round 1.
“If you let your guard down for five seconds,” Jones admitted, “it’s gonna be in your net.”
As for Marner, he’ll hit the ice carrying more than just playoff momentum—he’s also carrying the glow of new fatherhood.
“It’s one of the best feelings you'll ever have,” Berube said. “I’m sure he’s very excited.”
Also Read: Chicago Blackhawks defeat Montreal Canadiens 4-3 as rookie Ivan Demidov makes memorable debut
The Panthers won’t surprise anyone—they don’t need to. The Leafs know what’s coming. As Berube put it: “In the end, they’re coming. So, you gotta battle and get it out.”
Two teams. Two identities. One mission. Game 1 won’t be won on secrets. It’ll be won on execution—and who can land their punches first.
Can Toronto Maple Leafs ' power play overcome Florida Panthers' heavy-handed pressure?
Florida Panthers’ head coach Paul Maurice isn’t one to hide the strategy. Florida's game plan isn’t complicated—it’s just hell to play against.
“Are they mean?” Leafs coach Craig Berube repeated with a smirk when asked about the Cats’ aggressive style. “They play a hard game. They forecheck hard. They’re physical. And they’re in your face the whole game. I don’t necessarily think it’s mean. That’s just their game.”
That game has been Florida’s ticket to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals . Dump it deep, hammer the retrieval man, smother the first pass, and activate the defence. Simple. Brutal. Effective.
“Are they mean? 💀”
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) May 4, 2025
Craig Berube when asked about the Panthers being a “mean” hockey team and how the Leafs will handle it.
The perfect coach. At the perfect time. 💙😭#leafsforever pic.twitter.com/dx5ke7YBJ3
“They’re hard on pucks, and their D are aggressive,” said Morgan Rielly. “We’re gonna have to talk about (their forecheck). That’s a big part of their game.”
Newcomer Seth Jones , now immersed in the “Way of the Cat,” puts it plainly: “You have your guy, a tight gap on your guy. You don’t give him time and space.”
And when Florida’s forecheck wears you down, it unlocks their other strength—their penalty kill. Top-ranked in the postseason at 88.9 percent, it’s an extension of their pressure-first identity.
“Pressure them hard,” Jones said. “Don’t let them get comfortable.”
But Toronto isn’t showing up empty-handed. Their power play has been deadly, clicking at a blazing 35.3 percent. Mitch Marner ’s movement across the zone and the five-forward unit’s chaos brought Ottawa to its knees in Round 1.
“If you let your guard down for five seconds,” Jones admitted, “it’s gonna be in your net.”
As for Marner, he’ll hit the ice carrying more than just playoff momentum—he’s also carrying the glow of new fatherhood.
“It’s one of the best feelings you'll ever have,” Berube said. “I’m sure he’s very excited.”
Also Read: Chicago Blackhawks defeat Montreal Canadiens 4-3 as rookie Ivan Demidov makes memorable debut
The Panthers won’t surprise anyone—they don’t need to. The Leafs know what’s coming. As Berube put it: “In the end, they’re coming. So, you gotta battle and get it out.”
Two teams. Two identities. One mission. Game 1 won’t be won on secrets. It’ll be won on execution—and who can land their punches first.
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