The Panthers Are Playing Like Champs. The Maple Leafs Are Playing Like Chumps
And when a team consistently underperforms and loses in the most crucial situations, it's probably a safe bet it has learned how to accept defeat.
How else do you explain what has happened in the second round of the playoffs in the series between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs?
This is a series in which the Leafs were leading 2-0 in games and 2-0 in Game 3 and, since then, look as though they've hit a brick wall. Their stars are not only not scoring, but their play is leading to goals against. Their power play has gone south, goaltending has been a problem, and they might have to look up depth scoring in the dictionary to find out what it is.
The Panthers, on the other hand, got goals in a 6-1 win in Game 5 from Niko Mikkola, Dmitry Kulikov, Jesper Boqvist and A.J. Greer.
They're harder and faster on pucks, they're more determined, they're playing with a sense of purpose, and their goaltending is trending upward.
"They outskated us, they had the puck, they won the races, and we just played slow," said Leafs coach Craig Berube. "They were fast, they were honest, they were hungrier."
And they're going to be Atlantic Division playoff champions Friday night unless the Maple Leafs can be much, much better and the Panthers much, much worse.
Watch Game 5's post-game video column for more, and share your thoughts.
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