It might seem like an exaggeration, but there`s a strong argument that the upcoming game against Tampa Bay is the most significant regular-season game of this era for the team.
Let`s explore why this is the case.
In their recent game, the Toronto Maple Leafs faced Florida and experienced a tough match, similar to how the Panthers have played against many opponents in recent playoff series. Florida`s team was consistently dominant, especially in defense. The Leafs struggled to find open space, facing a strong and unyielding defense.
Looking at the stats, the game was clearly one-sided. Florida heavily outshot Toronto, had significantly higher expected goals, controlled the puck in the offensive zone for much longer, and dominated in puck battles.
Notably, the Panthers achieved this strong performance even without key players like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad.
Based on the season`s performance, it`s reasonable to conclude that if both teams are at full strength and have average luck, Florida would be a considerable favorite in a playoff series against Toronto. This isn`t just a personal opinion but is likely to be the prevailing view, reflected in betting odds.
