After a dominant and impressive showing in the team’s first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Panthers now unexpectedly find themselves down two games to none to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The losses could be blamed on a wide range of issues. Hockey games are not usually won or lost based on one specific shift or play. Instead, they are decided over the course of an entire game. Here are three reasons that the Panthers find themselves in their current situation.
Playing from behind
The Panthers are an elite team that plays a specific style. That style is predicated on hard hits, smothering defense, and ideally low-scoring affairs. It is not predicated on playing catch up, yet in both games thus far in the series, the Cats have been forced to do just that.
Game 1 was the more extreme example. Florida finished the first period down 3-1 and entered the third period down 4-1. Florida played a stellar third period and almost stole a comeback win, but the early deficit was too much to overcome.
After grabbing the lead early in Game 2, the Cats again entered the third period down 3-2. Anton Lundell tied the game, but Mitch Marner answered just 17 seconds later. The Panthers were unable to score again. Florida plays their best hockey when they don’t have to play catch-up, which shows in this series.
Bob has not been at his best
I would still take Sergei Bobrovsky over almost any other goaltender on the planet in big game situations. However, it isn’t entirely unknown that Bob has his ups and downs in net. So far, this series has not been his best.
Bobrovsky has allowed 9 goals on 50 shots through two games for just an .820 save percentage. Both Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll have outdueled him. Bobrovsky has allowed a couple of goals that I’m sure he would like to have back. Specifically, Chris Tanev’s goal in Game 1.
Toronto isn't intimidated
Florida outhit the Leafs 51 to 24 in Game 1. It didn’t matter. Not only that, but it seemed to create a spark in Toronto. In Game 2, the Maple Leafs matched the Panthers’ physicality, outhitting Florida 41-39.
Toronto has also been aggressive in blocking shots. They have 49 blocks to Florida’s 19, which shows that their defenders are fearless when getting in front of pucks. Coach Craig Berube has given the Maple Leafs a certain swagger and confidence they have lacked in recent years. Florida may not be able to intimidate and outphysical the Leafs, so they may need to rely more on their skill going forward.
Game three is essentially a must-win for Florida. Fifty-seven teams have come back from a 2-0 hole to win their series, which is only 12.4%. If a team wins game three, that percentage doubles to 24.1%, whereas a game three loss drops their odds to 1.6%. The Edmonton Oilers are the most recent example of a successful series comeback. After dropping the first two games of the previous round, Edmonton won four straight to eliminate the Kings.