4 Takeaways from the Maple Leafs 2-0 to the Panthers – Game 4 – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers broke off the square in Game 4 last night and things didn’t go as planned. After spending nearly half of the first stage in the free throw box, the Panthers’ power play was able to find the back of the net and give their club a 1-0 lead. That 1-0 lead was almost all-out until Sam Bennett scored at the end of the third quarter, giving them a 2-0 lead. Maple Leaf has no answer, even at the end of the game, and lost the 4th, 2-0 game, now tied 2-2 in the series.

Now, the series is transferred back to Toronto, with both teams set to rest and recover before Game 5 on Wednesday, May 14. But before we worry about Game 5, let’s bow in Game 4 with some takeaway performances last night.

Domi faces a late pause

Within seconds of dying in the third stage, Max Domi had Nazem Kadri’s moment and hit Aleksander Barkov from behind. It was followed by including Brad Marchand taking off his gloves, which could result in 46.12 and 46.22 pauses in the NHL Rulebook. Domi’s major is a five-minute major, and I hope the NHL and Player Safety Department will take a look. If it does result in a timeout, he may be done in the rest of the series (3 matches).

Many members of Leafs Nation know what he is going to do. He set the tone for Game 5 and got an extra blow. But when Balkov is in a vulnerable position, his blow is coming, which will likely lead to his lack of game.

Required lineup changes for game 5

I’ve been saying this for the last few games and I’ll say it again – Maple Leafs need some lineup changes. The players they were there were essentially just doing cardio, that’s it. Bobby McMann and Pontus Holmberg have no real impact on the series. After showing them last night, it’s time to put others in the room. The Maple Leafs have Nicholas Robertson, David Kampf, and even Ryan Reaves, who can get into the roster and add sparks. That’s what they need. They sometimes looked flat in the last two games and changing the roster will help. The last line of KAMPF with Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz is perfect for it. This also frees Calle Jarnkrok, either out of the lineup or moves to the third line.

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Robertson only needs to participate in these competitions. They need someone who can score goals and he is the best candidate. He can even play alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. Finally, Reaves (Reaves) is unlikely – but how much the Panthers run among the Maple Leafs players, he can help quiet down and keep people in line. It’s a lot of games since any changes were made and the lineup has performed quite well, but now it’s time to take some action and try to get more people to jump into the group.

Wall is excellent

Unfortunately, the maple leaves waste the outstanding efforts of Joseph Woll last night. He performed very well and maintained for three periods in the game. Sadly, the offense couldn’t make any progress and they ended up losing. All Toronto businesses scored late and won the overtime game behind Wall. But that didn’t happen, and now they’re heading home in a 2-2 tie.

Woll faced the Panthers’ 37 shots and hit a .946 percent savings (SV%) for 35 of them. There is a graph around social media showing his SV% in the earlier game at about .875 points and how he needs to get better. Well, he is, but the team in front of him disappointed him and wasted a huge effort.

Matthews needs a goal, it’s hard

I did a great job with the top players on the team throughout the playoff runs at Maple Leafs. They have been showing up on the scoring table and the defensive aspects of the hockey, which helps the team win the game. But after Game 4 of this series, it’s safe to say Auston Matthews needs a goal. He is trying-no doubt. He leads all players with 22 missed shots in the playoffs. But he needs something to snap up the issue and become a threat again.

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So far, he has two goals and eight assists in 10 games in the playoffs, scoring 10 points. It’s nice to see 10 points, but it would be better if he was somewhere in the five to seven goals range. It’s obvious that he’s not 100% and he’s still giving it all, especially on the defense. But if he can get one and gain confidence, he will be a threat every time he is on the ice. If you look at the power game of Maple Leafs, it’s obvious that something haunts him – he won’t get into the network like he used to. He would stop in front for tips or stop his hands tightly in front with his quick hands. Now, he was on the half wall, constantly throwing it away. Nylander and Mitch Marner are the guys who fired the puck in a powerful game. If Matthews are healthy, the playoffs may be different. But he is not, he is working hard. All he needs is something he wants to go, he can run.