Latest news with #StevenLorentz
National Post
18-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
LEAF NOTES: First goal in a Game 7 will be followed closely
Article content The team that scores first in a Game 7 wins 75 per cent of the time, a stat that's held through 150 of the previous 200 deciding playoff matches before Sunday. Article content Article content But the Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers must also gird for the opposite scenario, playing catch-up with their season on the line. Should Toronto fall behind early, winger Steven Lorentz said his team was not going to panic, citing Game 6's methodical 2-0 win in Sunrise to extend the series. Article content 'That first goal is huge, but we're not thinking about it,' he insisted Sunday morning. 'We're here to play our game and as long as we stick to what's working for us then we're in good hands. Article content 'We believe in our system. It's a three-period, 60-minute game, which could be potentially longer, but if we do a good job finishing our checks, wearing the other team down, mistakes happen and we have the skill to capitalize on those.' Article content Scott Laughton, who last played a Game 7 in 2020 at Scotiabank Arena during the COVID bubble when this Philadelphia Flyers lost to the New York Islanders, said the Leafs shouldn't be nervous after winning what amounted to a Game 7 on Friday. Article content 'You can feel the energy in here this morning,' Laughton said. 'Whether we score first or not, stay patient.' Article content Other tidbits from NHL Stats on Game 7 before Sunday include the home team having a record of 118-82 and 52 per cent are one-goal results. Of the 50 Game 7's that required overtime, the home side held a 27-23 advantage. Article content Article content BUILT TO LAST Article content Down the hall from Lorentz and Laughton, Florida's Matthew Tkachuk was playing up the defending Stanely Cup champions' Game 7 credentials. They won the Cup in such a manner after nearly blowing a 3-0 lead to Edmonton and Tkachuk predicted the steady stream of hits directed at the Leafs since Game 1 would wear down the Buds by Sunday's conclusion Article content 'An amazing opportunity and our game is built for this,' Tkachuk said. 'We talk about it all year, we talk from training camp – 'what are you going to do to build yourself for Game 7?' Article content 'It's finally here and we get to show that off tonight. Who cares how we got here? Up two, down one. It's a one-game showdown.
Toronto Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
LEAF NOTES: First goal in a Game 7 will be followed closely
Toronto Maple Leafs centre Steven Lorentz (18) goes for the puck against Florida Panthers centre Anton Lundell (15) during the first period in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. Photo by Lynne Sladky / AP Photo The team that scores first in a Game 7 wins 75 per cent of the time, a stat that's held through 150 of the previous 200 deciding playoff matches before Sunday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But the Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers must also gird for the opposite scenario, playing catch-up with their season on the line. Should Toronto fall behind early, winger Steven Lorentz said his team was not going to panic, citing Game 6's methodical 2-0 win in Sunrise to extend the series. 'That first goal is huge, but we're not thinking about it,' he insisted Sunday morning. 'We're here to play our game and as long as we stick to what's working for us then we're in good hands. 'We believe in our system. It's a three-period, 60-minute game, which could be potentially longer, but if we do a good job finishing our checks, wearing the other team down, mistakes happen and we have the skill to capitalize on those.' Scott Laughton, who last played a Game 7 in 2020 at Scotiabank Arena during the COVID bubble when this Philadelphia Flyers lost to the New York Islanders, said the Leafs shouldn't be nervous after winning what amounted to a Game 7 on Friday. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'You can feel the energy in here this morning,' Laughton said. 'Whether we score first or not, stay patient.' Other tidbits from NHL Stats on Game 7 before Sunday include the home team having a record of 118-82 and 52 per cent are one-goal results. Of the 50 Game 7's that required overtime, the home side held a 27-23 advantage. BUILT TO LAST Down the hall from Lorentz and Laughton, Florida's Matthew Tkachuk was playing up the defending Stanely Cup champions' Game 7 credentials. They won the Cup in such a manner after nearly blowing a 3-0 lead to Edmonton and Tkachuk predicted the steady stream of hits directed at the Leafs since Game 1 would wear down the Buds by Sunday's conclusion 'An amazing opportunity and our game is built for this,' Tkachuk said. 'We talk about it all year, we talk from training camp – 'what are you going to do to build yourself for Game 7?' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's finally here and we get to show that off tonight. Who cares how we got here? Up two, down one. It's a one-game showdown. 'The guys who have success in Game 7's are those not afraid to make a play.' SEVEN UP FOR MARCHAND Florida's newly acquired Brad Marchand entered Sunday with 12 Game 7's under his belt, accumulating three goals and four assists in Boston's seven wins, with a personal plus nine. Four of those were against the Leafs, in which Marchand had a goal and two assists. Coach Paul Maurice was flabbergasted by the stat. 'My god, that's awesome, that's crazy,' Maurice said. 'I hope he can share and that can rub off on his teammates. 'As you get older you will appreciate (such moments). There's not 13 more for him, though that would be impressive. Those players understand, you get to go have a (vital) game. Nobody ever in the back of the room says 'hey, it's Game 3'.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Former Leaf winger Ed Olczyk was in town Sunday for the game and possible TNT Network coverage of the Eastern Final. Olczyk had a playoff redemption experience similar to Toronto captain Auston Matthews' in 1988. When the Leafs were bombed 8-0 by Detroit at the Gardens in the Norris Division semifinal and pushed within a game of elimination, angry fans pelted the ice. 'There were a few sweaters and a lot of garbage,' Olczyk recalled with a smile. 'The next game in Detroit, we won 6-5 in overtime (Olczyk had a hat trick) and I said maybe the fans should throw roses at us.' Someone delivered a giant bouquet to the Gardens next day, but Toronto did lose Game 6. Olczyk now has four grandchildren, one of his sons born the night he was traded by Toronto to the original Winnipeg Jets. Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons Sports Sunshine Girls World
National Post
08-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Little things mean a lot to Maple Leafs in building a series lead over Panthers
Big wins are built from a lot of little plays. Article content Article content The Maple Leafs certainly have discovered that in the course of their first eight playoff games. Article content Upon further review of taking a 2-0 lead Wednesday against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, salient solo moments came to light, in particular sacrifices by the defence. Article content Brandon Carlo expanding his 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame in crease scrums to help Joseph Woll, when he wasn't boxing out unwanted company. Jake McCabe gloving a loose puck off the goal-line. Chris Tanev absorbing a hard hit from Carter Verhaeghe that kept him on the bench for a spell before rejoining the play. Oliver Ekman-Larsson's one-handed swipe to clear a puck from Toronto's slot that ended up starting Max Domi's goal. Tanev's 23 shot blocks, Simon Benoit's 22 and Morgan Rielly's 20 lead the defence. Article content Article content 'That's playoff hockey,' said winger Steven Lorentz, who won the Cup last year with Florida. 'The stuff that doesn't always show up on the scoresheet might save you the game or lead to a chance at the other end. Article content 'That's the beauty of it. They're not always picked up, not everybody gets the glory, but the guys in this room recognize things like that and that's all that matters.' Article content Leafs coach Craig Berube has seen this movie before as well with the 2019 champion St. Louis Blues. Article content
