Reimer, Panthers trounce Leafs
Toronto falls out of playoff picture after putting up listless effort against Florida
SUNRISE, FLA.— When the Maple Leafs weren’t talking about the playoff race they discussed rest and relaxation on this Florida swing, and how those things could help keep the team strong and focused.
It was an advantage — all the sun and vitamin D — they had intended to use.
But given a 7-2 trouncing at the hands of the Florida Panthers, perhaps it was a little too much of a good thing.
The Leafs, the team riding a three-game winning streak, looked sluggish while the Panthers, who’d dropped seven of their last eight coming in, had some jump.
They might also have had a secret weapon in net in James Reimer, who was most definitely up to facing his old team.
“The team has changed quite a bit over the years,” Reimer said before the game. “There are still a few guys you played with and you know. It’s always fun to play against your old team.”
Leafs counterpart Freddie Andersen, meanwhile, was pulled after 20 minutes, giving up three goals on nine shots; backup Curtis McElhinney didn’t fare much better. The only Leaf worth watching was Mitch Marner, who did his level best to carry the team on his small frame.
“Obviously it was really disappointing,” said Leafs coach Mike Babcock. “We didn’t skate good, made unbelievable mistakes that did not help either goalie. We have a huge game on Thursday, so we have to get ourselves back on track because this was no good.”
Leo Komarov and Nikita Soshnikov scored for the Leafs.
Jonathan Marchessault had two goals to lead the Florida attack. Keith Yandle, Colton Sceviour, Aleksander Barkov, Reilly Smith and Jussi Jokinen also scored for Florida.
The Panthers were also in a mustwin situation, having to beat the team it was pursuing for a playoff spot to help its own chances; a loss to Toronto would have been a dagger to the Panthers’ hopes.
The scoreboard did the Leafs no favours either, with the Islanders retaking the second wild-card thanks to an overtime win over Carolina, and Tampa passing the Leafs with an overtime win over Ottawa. Toronto dropped to 10th in the Eastern Conference.
There’s one game left on this trip: Thursday in Tampa.
The Lightning are taking Wednesday off while the Leafs will practice.
Babcock, who was not completely sold on the idea of rest for his players, had a simple message for his team, who have had numerous days off and routinely skip morning skates.
“There’s a fine line between keeping the motor running and being away from the rink,” said Babcock. “The other thing that has to happen, if you don’t play good, you go to the rink. Period. It’s that simple.”
It was clear from the moment the doors opened at the BB&T Centre that Leaf Nation had showed up for this March Break game in Florida.
There were ‘Go Leafs Go’ chants louder than anything Panthers fans could chant. O Canada had a more boisterous response than the Star Spangled Banner.
“I’d much rather this than no one showing up,” said Leafs centre Nazem Kadri before the game.
“That’s the great support we’ve had from Leaf Nation.”
The Leafs trailed 1-0 after 18 seconds and 3-1 after the first 20 minutes.
Barkov scored on a second effort, winning the draw, going to the net and outmuscling a Leaf defender for the quick lead. Sceviour used his speed to zoom past Nikita Zaitsev on the point on a Leaf power play to score on a short-handed breakaway at 10:33. The only Leaf who had a good first period was Marner, who drew two penalties.