RICK VAIVE: How Auston Matthews can beat the goal blues
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Matthews is not the only one who has to get the job done. The whole top six weren't doing much against Florida in Game 4, despite some great chances by Matthew Knies and William Nylander. The whole team took a lot of penalties, which didn't help, and now Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is getting hot.
It has been tossed around out there that Florida is gaining the edge in toughness and intimidation. Maybe that's a bit true from the position of a team that's very experienced at playoff time. Two years ago they made the final while decimated by injuries, and last year they won it all. It can get in your head if you're the Leafs.
But I see no reason Toronto can't still win this. The Maple Leafs are yet to trail in either series they have been in, Joseph Woll was named a game star on Sunday when everyone had begun to doubt him, and now they have two out of three at home with an extra day off.
It just means it won't be easy to pull off.
The Toronto Sun welcomes former Leaf captain and three-time 50-goal scorer Rick Vaive to our 2025 playoff coverage. He played 16 NHL and WHA seasons and is the author of 'Catch 22: My Battles in Hockey and Life.' He can be heard on Squid and The Ultimate Leafs Fan podcast with Mike Wilson and special guests.
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CTV News
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