Florida Panthers @ Toronto Maple Leafs
08:00 PM at Scotiabank Arena
Watch on: ESPN, CBC, SN, TVAS

We start with a clean slate.

Them

The Florida Panthers
Who are these people?
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

I struggled to come to a conclusion in that post because I do feel that the Moneypuck odds are correct. This series is a toss-up. And also because without a feel for how much Matthew Tkachuk will play, it's hard to judge the team. He did not participate fully in the most recent practice, but is expected to take his second-line spot – at least on paper.

Aaron Ekblad is suspended for game one.

Lines

Jameson Olive via Daily Faceoff from practice on Saturday and matched by morning skate lines.

Carter Verhaeghe - Aleksander Barkov - Sam Reinhart
Evan Rodrigues - Sam Bennett - Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen - Anton Lundell - Brad Marchand
A.J. Greer - Nico Sturm - Jesper Boqvist

Gustav Forsling - Seth Jones
Niko Mikkola - Dmitry Kulikov
Uvis Balinskis - Nate Schmidt

Sergei Bobrovsky
Vitek Vanecek

Us

No changes to the Leafs lines at their weekend practice. They held an optional skate today.

Lines

David Alter via Daily Faceoff

Matthew Knies - Auston Matthews - Mitch Marner
Max Pacioretty - John Tavares - William Nylander
Bobby McMann - Pontus Holmberg - Max Domi
Steven Lorentz - Scott Laughton - Calle Järnkrok

Jake McCabe - Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly - Brandon Carlo
Simon Benoit - Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Anthony Stolarz
Joe Woll

The Game

One game at a time is how I'm viewing this series. This is the point where injuries and fatigue become the factor you can't see or expect.

I have found it very interesting to hear the takes on the two game sevens in the west. The teams that lost went down to very good teams, so they shouldn't feel like they failed. Which is true. The Blues taking the Jets that deep was impressive. Dallas knocking off Colorado with their two (formerly) best players out with injuries was a feat, but for the Avs, they were hardly playing a low-quality team.

I don't like to be all "yabbut when the Leafs do it" about things like this, but how many times were the Leafs bounced by a team that got to the Cup Final? Before you start ragging on imaginary Sportsnet articles, remember that the worst of the takes claiming that even mentioning that is making excuses, and the relentless character assassination of the best Maple Leafs team that has ever existed comes from fans, not the media.

The Leafs may lose this game tonight. If they do, there are six more kicks at the can. Take a longer view than one game or one period or one goal against. The Leafs have struggled so much in the playoffs against really good teams, and no they haven't gone deep yet, but a mature team has to take a longer view and plan for the grind of multiple rounds. It is supposed to be this hard, and they can't blow up every negative outcome and ignore every good thing in a headlong rush to a summer of anger and recriminations.

It's time we matured along with them. Instead of running down whoever hasn't scored lately or whoever hasn't met unrealistic expectations, it's time we watched them keep working hard to get it done with pride and love and enjoyment. It's time we cheered for the team in every game. It's time one bad moment doesn't turn the tide to extremes of anger. It's time to stop going into every game ready to be happy they lost so the screaming about the GM, the coach, the water boy, the third assistant to the assistant trainer, and the players who only care about money can begin in earnest.

It's time to drop the jaded and cynical slogans, and it's time to say Go Leafs Go all game long. Or if you like, we can notice Tkachuk's high forehead and try out "Matthew is Balding" as a chant.

GO LEAFS GO!

Game CoverageMaple Leafs Playoffs