The Toronto Maple Leafs are on a four-game winning streak, while the Florida Panthers are on a four-game losing streak.
In their last eight games, Toronto has won seven, while Florida has only won one out of its last seven.
On Wednesday, the Panthers will host the Leafs in Sunrise, Florida, and both teams will be tested based on their current streaks.
Strangely, Toronto has been on this hot streak without their captain, seven-time All-Star Auston Matthews, who has missed games due to an upper-body injury. Matthews had led the league in goals in three of the past four seasons.
Leafs forward John Tavares said, “Don’t get me wrong — we want Auston back as soon as possible, but it’s just about believing in the group and the depth we have. Everyone is a part of it.”
Mitch Marner has stepped up, leading Toronto in assists (20) and points (28), while William Nylander leads the team in goals (14). Tavares himself has 20 points, ranking third behind Marner and Nylander. Marner has been especially hot, with a four-game multi-point streak, during which he scored four goals and added four assists.
Tavares praised Marner, saying, “He’s an elite player. He makes plays. He does so many good things without the puck. He plays in all situations, and he brings an element to our locker room that is unique. We’re lucky to have him.”
In goal, Toronto has been strong with a duo of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. Stolarz, who played for the Panthers last season, has been excellent with a 7-3-2 record, a .927 save percentage, and a 2.18 goals-against average. Woll is 5-2-0 with a .922 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average.
Florida is expected to start goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who was rested in Monday’s 4-1 loss to Washington. Bobrovsky is 9-5-1 with an .885 save percentage and a 3.18 goals-against average. He has a 13-8-1 record with a .904 save percentage and a 2.82 GAA in his career against Toronto.
In that loss to Washington, Panthers forward Sam Reinhart had his 13-game point streak snapped, which was the longest in the NHL this season. Reinhart, who started the week tied for the league lead in goals (16), also leads the Panthers in points (31). He has 11 goals and eight assists over his last 14 games.
With star players like Bobrovsky, Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, and Matthew Tkachuk, coach Paul Maurice is still confident in his team but acknowledges that “there’s a piece of our game that’s missing right now, and we’re going to have to find it.”
Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola agreed, saying, “We’re a little bit off.” Backup goalie Spencer Knight expressed frustration but remains hopeful: “We’ve done a lot of things right. We’re working hard. Everyone is buying in. Every team in this league is good. Anyone can beat anyone.”
