Latest news with #Senators-MapleLeafs
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maple Leafs Coach Sends 'Comfortable' Message Before Panthers Series
Craig Berube and the Toronto Maple Leafs have advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they will face the reigning champion Florida Panthers. Even though the Panthers will be unlike the Ottawa Senators in terms of their heightened physical play, the Leafs seem to be getting cozy. Advertisement Head coach Berube, in particular, is not worried about that Panthers trait ahead of Game 1, scheduled for Monday in Toronto. When asked about the physical challenge Florida presents, Berube made it clear he has no concerns about the aggressive, gritty, grinding Florida style of play. Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube speaks to the media during the 2025 Stanley Cup DesRosiers-Imagn Images 'I'm very comfortable,' Berube said. 'I don't feel worried about it at all. Our team is—they're ready for it. They understand it. 'That's playoffs. It's going to be hard, and there's going to be hits, and you've got to get up and play.' The Panthers closed out their first-round series in five games, dispatching a strong Tampa Bay Lightning team with little trouble and leading all teams already qualified for the second round in penalties in minutes per game at 14:24. Advertisement Florida also won three of four regular-season games against the Maple Leafs, outscoring Toronto 13-7. Berube stressed that his team is already focused on what comes next and is not "satisfied" with just advancing past the first-round matchup. 'I don't know about satisfied,' Berube said after the win over Ottawa. 'We're happy we won; you're supposed to be happy you won. It's not easy to win a series, and the guys should be happy they won the series, but now we've moved on, and we have to get prepared for Florida.' Related: Matthew Tkachuk's First Message to Brady Tkachuk After Senators-Maple Leafs Related: Panthers and Maple Leafs Fire Loaded Messages Before Second-Round Series
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Bissonnette Sends Stern Warning to Panthers Before Maple Leafs Series
The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers are set to meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second time in three years, and Paul Bissonnette lost no time stirring the pot. On Friday's episode of the 'Spittin' Chiclets' podcast, Bissonnette took direct aim at the Panthers, sending a direct warning their way. Advertisement 'Now it's on to Goliath, the Florida Panthers, and we have unfinished business with you,' Bissonnette said. Bissonnette went on to mention a few Panthers players, including forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett. 'You hear that, 'Bennett the Menace'?' Bissonnette said. 'Hi, Matthew! We just took down your brother Brady, and now we're coming for you.' Bissonnette also reserved a special moment for new Panthers forward Brad Marchand. 'My arch (expletive) nemesis,' Bissonnette said. 'I'm going to take you down, once and for all. You hear me, Brad!? You're going down, buddy. Put the war paint on because it's our time. It's our year. Advertisement 'Go, Leafs, Go! Go, Leafs, Go! Yes!' Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) looks on during a stoppage of Navarro-Imagn Images Florida reached the second round by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, winning all three on the road. Toronto eliminated the Ottawa Senators in six games, with the final game played in Toronto. Toronto won the Atlantic Division over the Panthers and enters the second round holding home-ice advantage. Florida, however, dominated the Leafs in the regular season, taking three of four games between both franchises. Game 1 between the Leafs and the Panthers is scheduled for Monday, May 5 at 8 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena, with the last postseason meeting between both teams ending with Florida beating the Leafs in five games back in 2023. Advertisement Related: Matthew Tkachuk's First Message to Brady Tkachuk After Senators-Maple Leafs Related: NHL Delivers First Official Update on Maple Leafs-Panthers Series
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
William Nylander Breaks Silence on Maple Leafs' Lineup Error
The Toronto Maple Leafs survived a tense six-game series against the Ottawa Senators, clinching their spot in the second round with a 4-2 road win on Thursday night. But before the puck even dropped in Game 6, a glaring error nearly resulted in William Nylander being ineligible to play. Advertisement According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Nylander's name was left off the official game sheet due to a number mix-up with his brother, Alex Nylander. Alex, currently playing for the AHL's Toronto Marlies and wearing No. 92, was listed instead of William, who wears No. 88. If the error hadn't been identified before puck drop, Rule 5.1 of the NHL rulebook would have rendered William ineligible for the game. 'Number 92 Alexander Nylander, Willie's brother, is listed, and Willie is listed as a scratch,' Friedman said. 'If the puck had dropped and nobody had noticed this, Willie Nylander could have been removed from the game.' Advertisement Fortunately, the mistake was flagged by an official before the opening faceoff, giving the Leafs a chance to correct it in time, with head coach Craig Berube blaming technology for the error. 'We never would have made that mistake in the old days when we just wrote the names in by hand, too,' Berube said. Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (88) tries to control the puck against the Ottawa E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Nylander revealed that he only learned about the situation after the game. 'I heard about it after the game,' Nylander said. 'But yeah, luckily somebody caught that.' The Leafs winger, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Thursday, went on to have his best performance of the series, scoring two goals and adding an assist to his three-point outing. Advertisement Toronto advanced to the second round, where the Leafs will face the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, with Game 1 set for Monday night in Toronto. Related: Paul Bissonnette Sends Stern Warning to Panthers Before Maple Leafs Series Related: Matthew Tkachuk's First Message to Brady Tkachuk After Senators-Maple Leafs
