Toronto Maple Leafs’ head coach Craig Berube had a measured assessment of goaltender Joseph Woll’s Game 3 performance after being defeated 5-4 in overtime by the Florida Panthers. The slump reduces Toronto’s advantage in the playoff series over Florida to 2-1.
Since he took over from Anthony Stolarz for his injury after Game 1, Woll repelled the opposition with 32 saves, although he conceded some crucial goals. While Berube complimented Woll’s play, he continued, “I thought he was really good. I don’t love the fourth goal, but other than that, I thought he was solid.” Through this postseason so far, Woll has a 3.99 goals-against average and a great .869 save percentage in three games.
Even though John Tavares scored twice, together with Matthew Knies and Morgan Rielly, Toronto did not manage to cling to a lead as Florida replied through goals from Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe, Jonah Gadjovich, and Brad Marchand, with Marchand nailing the OT winner.
Berube pointed out inconsistency as a problem while noting that the squad played great early but lost steam in the third period. He encouraged his team to play for an entire 60 minutes and commented that gear grinding in overtime frequently relies on chance. intrinsically unpredictable and occasionally resolved by a lucky bounce. The series is in need of a turning point when the two teams meet again in Game 4.
Toronto Maple Leafs Fall Short in Overtime
The Maple Leafs were beaten in overtime, losing 5-4 in Game 3 of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers. The impressive two-goal night from the Leafs’ Tavares was not enough to turn the round around for them against a surging Panthers side who now have their backs to the wall with just a 2-1 deficit in the best-of-seven contest.
In the loss, Woll stopped 32 shots, and with Stolarz out on injury, Woll has been recalled as the starting netminder and is sporting a 3.99 goals-against average and 86.9% save percentage in his first three playoff outings.
Although the Leafs were able to persist under pressure and create opportunities throughout the overtime, they could not score the winning goal. Brad Marchand gave the Panthers the win with a late OT goal, as a rally started by Reinhart, Barkov, Verhaeghe, and Gadjovich began. Bobrovsky contributed most to the Panthers’ defense, blocking 27 shots while they struggled to win.
Since the series has been heating up, Toronto places even more emphasis on the upcoming Game 4. Defensively, Toronto has to step up its game and keep up a solid offensive rhythm, especially if Woll is not put away in goal.
Florida, having won the game in overtime, will aim to at least even the series in front of their fans. The emphasis will be on how each side adjusts its strategy, since the series appears to be destined to be competitive into the future.