{"id":276702,"date":"2025-05-18T15:30:46","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T15:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/18\/3-things-matthews-co-need-to-ensure-win-over-panthers\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:08:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:08:25","slug":"3-things-matthews-co-need-to-ensure-win-over-panthers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/18\/3-things-matthews-co-need-to-ensure-win-over-panthers\/","title":{"rendered":"3 things Matthews &#038; co. need to ensure win over Panthers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content\" data-postid=\"4921914\" data-slug-id=\"2523124\">\n<div class=\"vidazoo-player-container\">\n<span class=\"vidazoo-close-btn  hidden \"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/cmc-predictor\/v2\/cross-icon.png?w=40\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"close\"\/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/toronto-maple-leafs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> find themselves in yet another Game 7, this time against the Florida Panthers on Sunday night at Scotiabank Arena.<\/p>\n<p>With a ticket for the Eastern Conference Final and a date against the Carolina Hurricanes on the line, the Toronto Maple Leafs will need to bring their best game of the season forward in order to reach their first Conference Final appearance since 2002.<\/p>\n<p><template id=\"also-read-articles-template\"><\/p>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, here\u2019s a look at the three things that Auston Matthews and his teammates will need to do to ensure a Game 7 victory over the Panthers.<\/p>\n<h2>3 things Toronto Maple Leafs must do to ensure Game 7 win over Panthers<\/h2>\n<h3>#3 Avoid needless penalties<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"The Leafs will need to avoid careless penalties in Game 7's physical matchup - Source: Imagn\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg\"\/><img fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg 1920w\" alt=\"The Leafs will need to avoid careless penalties in Game 7's physical matchup - Source: Imagn\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26200648-1747581291.jpeg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>The Leafs will need to avoid careless penalties in Game 7&#8217;s physical matchup &#8211; Source: Imagn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/news-leafs-hc-craig-berube-sends-crystal-clear-message-team-ahead-do-or-die-game-7-panthers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Maple Leafs<\/a> saw their disciplined game go out the window in Games 4 and 5. In Game 4, the Leafs racked up 27 penalty minutes, gifting the Panthers six power play opportunities. In Game 5, Toronto accrued 30 total penalty minutes and surrendered four power play chances.<\/p>\n<p>The needless amount of penalties has been a major factor in the disruption of the Leafs\u2019 structured defensive game.<\/p>\n<p>When Toronto is able to stay out of the penalty box, they can establish a solid defensive game, which then opens up the ice for increasing offensive opportunities. Game 6 was a good example of that as the Leafs only took eight penalty minutes and won the game 2-0.<\/p>\n<h3>#2 Don\u2019t give into the Panthers\u2019 antics<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"Brad Marchand will look to pester the Leafs throughout Game 7 - Source: Imagn\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg\"\/><img class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1314\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg 1920w\" alt=\"Brad Marchand will look to pester the Leafs throughout Game 7 - Source: Imagn\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154776-1747581332.jpeg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201314%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Brad Marchand will look to pester the Leafs throughout Game 7 &#8211; Source: Imagn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Florida Panthers will most assuredly deploy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/brad-marchand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Brad Marchand<\/a> as a pest extraordinaire to get into the Maple Leafs\u2019 heads. After all, Marchand has won three Game 7s against Toronto. So, he knows exactly how to get into the Leafs\u2019 heads.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why Craig Berube must be smart in deploying his line changes. Since Game 7 is at home, Toronto has the last line change. That will likely mean deploying the Scott Laughton line to counteract Marchand\u2019s influence.<\/p>\n<p>By matching up Laughton and Calle Jarnkrok against Marchand, the Leafs can then allow the Barkov line to match up against the Matthews group.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, it could mean that Game 7 will be decided by the John Tavares-William Nylander-Max Pacioretty combo as the Panthers will need to deploy their checking line against Tavares, Pacioretty and Nylander.<\/p>\n<h3>#1 Continue sacrificing the body<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"Chris Tanev will need to continue being a shot-blocking machine for Toronto - Source: Imagn\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg 1920w\" alt=\"Chris Tanev will need to continue being a shot-blocking machine for Toronto - Source: Imagn\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/25977486-1747581387.jpeg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Chris Tanev will need to continue being a shot-blocking machine for Toronto &#8211; Source: Imagn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/news-leafs-captain-auston-matthews-makes-feelings-known-11-000-000-rookie-goalie-first-playoff-shutout\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Maple Leafs<\/a> blocked a total of 31 shots in Game 6. That remarkable total avoided a significant number of scoring opportunities for the Panthers. As such, it allowed goaltender Joseph Woll to make the saves he had to.<\/p>\n<p>Moving forward, the Leafs will need to continue sacrificing the body as the Panthers will likely come out hard in the first period. But if Game 6 was any indication, a strong first period by Toronto could swing the momentum, and the final score, in the Leafs\u2019 favor.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-post-rating-widget\">\n<p><template id=\"post-rating-feedback-modal-template\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-feedback-box\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-content\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-data\">\n<p>Why did you not like this content?<\/p>\n<p><textarea id=\"dislike-feedback-text\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"Please type your feedback...\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<button class=\"close\">Cancel<\/button><br \/>\n<button class=\"submit\">Submit<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-widget-parent hidden\">\n<div class=\"rating-parent-container\">\n<div class=\"rating-content-holder\">\n<p>Was this article helpful?<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-action-container\">\n<div class=\"like-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-like-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"like\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"like selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dislike-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-dislike-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"dislike\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-dis-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"avatar selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nThank You for feedback\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-author-info-parent\">\n<span class=\"about-the-author\">About the author<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"author-info-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-pic-holder\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"author-pic\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,&lt;svg width=\" height=\"100\"\/><rect width=\"100\" height=\"100\" style=\"fill:rgb(128, 128, 128);\"\/>&#8221; data-lazy=&#8221;https:\/\/keedag.sportskeeda.com\/user-pic\/2981390-1716632323-200.jpg?w=200&#8243;<br \/>\nalt=&#8221;Nestor Quixtan&#8221; height=&#8221;72&#8243; width=&#8221;72&#8243;&gt;\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-bio-detail-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p class=\"author-bio\" id=\"author-bio-text\">\nNestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor\u2019s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.<\/p>\n<p>Nestor credits the Leafs\u2019 playoff runs in the early &#8217;90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.<\/p>\n<p>Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can&#8217;t for stories.<\/p>\n<p>When he is not writing about Canada\u2019s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.\n<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"author-know-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/author\/nestor-quixta\" aria-label=\"Author know more\">Know More<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tag-cloud\">\n<div class=\"tags-text\">\n<div class=\"scrollable-content-holder  article-padding\">\n<p class=\"article-p  \">Quick Links<\/p>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerLeft\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Left \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-left.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button><\/p>\n<nav id=\"pnProductNav\" class=\"pn-ProductNav\">\n<\/nav>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerRight\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Right \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-right.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<p>More from Sportskeeda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<span class=\"publisher-name\">Edited by Nestor Quixtan<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/maple-leafs-game-7-checklist-3-things-matthews-co-need-ensure-win-panthers\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in yet another Game 7, this time against the Florida Panthers on Sunday night at Scotiabank Arena. 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