‘Use it as motivation’: Maple Leafs out for revenge in Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — As a rematch with the team that ended the Toronto Maple Leafs†season looms, Auston Matthews is asked what he remembers most about last springâ€s seven-game bout with the champs.

“I mean, losing, obviously,†the captain replies. “You get on the wrong end of the series, itâ€s never a good feeling.â€

That feeling is far too familiar in these parts, not just for the Maple Leafs, whoâ€ve been eliminated by the Florida Panthers two of the past three seasons. But for many a good team denied greatness by a juggernaut that has won 11 of its past 12 post-season series.

Revenge is on the mind, even in early December.

“You use it as motivation,†Matthews says. “At the same time, itâ€s a divisional game. Looking at where weâ€re at in the standings and just how important these games are, especially against your own division, I donâ€t think thereâ€s really any extra motivation needed.â€

Though not nearly as much is at stake as the last time these two squads met, Tuesdayâ€s rematch feels strangely important.

Underperforming and riddled with injuries, Florida and Toronto are tied with 25 points and stand second-last and last, respectively, in the topsy-turvy Atlantic Division standings.

“Weâ€re going through the same thing. Weâ€re both trying to find our game,†Brad Marchand says. “Theyâ€re battling some injuries, stuff like that, which affects your overall game and your consistency and just how comfortable you are with your linemates and everything.

“They were one goal away from beating us, essentially.â€

The Maple Leafs, youâ€ll recall, took at 2-0 series lead and held a 3-1 advantage in Game 3. They had the champions on the ropes only to get knocked out.

“I think itâ€s good to use that,†says Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a member of the Cats†2024 Cup team. “You always want to learn from games and your experience, so I think itâ€s great to have that in the back of your head.â€

Pride and a cherished two points will be hanging in the Amerant Bank Arena air.

“Thereâ€s going to be a lot of juice in the building for both teams,†hardnosed Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad says. “These are always emotional matches against teams that we play in the playoffs, and they bring it just as much as we do. So, itâ€s always a fun game for the fans and a fun game for us to find our mojo again.â€

Despite being new to this particular grudge match, Troy Stecher still senses a different energy around this one: “Maybe the refs will put their whistles away, just knowing that itâ€s a rivalry and they want to let the guys play.â€

Florida coach Paul Maurice says the sides know each other so well that everyone already has an idea what the game will look like. More chirps. Extra hits. Jumpier legs.

All of which is, naturally, proceeded by Leafs killer Marchandâ€s trolling and the Leafs†insistence that they are paying the expert pest no mind.

For this one, Marchand leaned into the panic up north that the Maple Leafs†nine-year playoff streak is in doubt with their 11-11-3 start.

“With the media attention and the fan support that they have in Toronto, things get blown way out of proportion up there,†Marchand says. “What are they, four points out of a playoff spot? If people are thinking theyâ€re out of a playoff spot for the season, they got to find a new job.â€

Marchand went out of his way to praise his opponentâ€s compete level and depth and defensive structure.

Not mentioned: The Leafs†3.56 goals-against average makes them the most porous team in the conference.

Toronto GM Brad Treliving purposely tried building his roster to be playoff ready, to grind out heavy, tight matches. Not unlike the Panthers†formula.

The catch here is that injuries and inconsistency have conspired with rising divisional parity to put both the Leafs and Panthers in danger of missing the post-season.

Anthony Stolarz, Brandon Carlo, and Chris Tanev arenâ€t coming back anytime soon.

Neither is Aleksander Barkov or Matthew Tkachuk or Eetu Luostarinen.

The shaky present is reason enough to bring it Tuesday. Toronto coach Craig Berube doesnâ€t need to lean into a painful history.

“We look at the series, where we were at, what we could have done better to move on. Yeah, we’re motivated. We want to come out and keep it going here. We got a win in Pit. So, I think thatâ€s our focus, right?†Berube says.

“I donâ€t know if bringing up Game 7 of last year does a whole to our group right now.â€

So, Berube wonâ€t bring up the playoffs before the Maple Leafs hit the ice tonight?

“Iâ€m not saying that,†Berube clarifies. “Iâ€m not saying that.â€

One-timers: Carlo will “probably†need surgery and will miss an extended amount of time … Stolarz has still not skated since Nov. 11 and his undisclosed condition has not improved … Simon Benoit returns to the Leafs lineup after missing Saturdayâ€s game to attend the funeral of his father-in-law … Dakota Mermis comes out and Philippe Myers stays in due to his right-handedness … Sam Reinhart has missed a couple team skates but will play…. Sergei Bobrovsky versus Joseph Woll is the goalie matchup.

Maple Leafs lineup Tuesday in Florida:

Knies – Matthews – Domi

Cowan – Tavares – Nylander

Joshua – Roy – McMann

Lorentz – Laughton – Robertson

Rielly – Ekman-Larsson

McCabe – Stecher

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