The Florida Panthers will encounter some familiar opponents when they head to Toronto for the first game of their series.
Among the Toronto Maple Leafs roster are three players – Anthony Stolarz, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Steven Lorentz – who were part of the Panthers` team that reached the Stanley Cup Final last season.
These former Panthers will now wear the Maple Leafs` blue and white as the two Atlantic Division rivals compete in the second round of the NHL playoffs.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice expressed his satisfaction for his former players.
Maurice commented on Friday, “Those players were integral to our success. Their contribution to that journey is still remembered in our locker room. I`m pleased they`ve found a significant role and opportunity contributing to the success of the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz`s role has significantly changed; last season he was the backup to Sergei Bobrovsky, playing only one game during the Panthers` deep playoff run. Now, he started all six games for the Maple Leafs in their first-round victory.
The 31-year-old netminder had a career-best regular season with Toronto, starting 34 games and recording impressive statistics with a .926 save percentage and a 2.14 goals against average.
Stolarz has previously mentioned learning from Bobrovsky during their time together.
Sergei Bobrovsky acknowledged their past relationship, stating, “We had a good relationship, that’s true. It was a good partnership as well last year. It’s going to be good. It’s going to be fun. He’s a good goalie.”
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, similar to Stolarz and Lorentz, also played only one season with the Panthers in Sunrise, Florida. However, the veteran defenseman was a key contributor, participating in all 24 playoff contests last season and tallying two goals and four assists.
The veteran Swedish blueliner has already scored two goals in his initial playoff appearance with the Maple Leafs.
Steven Lorentz, a native of Kitchener, Ontario, and a lifelong fan of the Maple Leafs, participated in 16 playoff games for Florida, registering one goal and two assists.
He did not register any points in the recent series.
Maurice praised the players` current form: “Oliver Ekman-Larsson had a distinguished career well before joining us and was a significant part of our success last year. However, both Steven Lorentz and Anthony Stolarz have reached a new plateau, seizing a new opportunity in Toronto, and they have performed exceptionally well.”
The winner of the Maple Leafs-Panthers series will advance to face the victor of the Metropolitan Division bracket, which includes either the Carolina Hurricanes or Washington Capitals, in the Eastern Conference Final.
