New York. Cats from Florida continue to shred the favourites.
Last night, just two days after completing the massive game against Boston, they won their opener against Toronto as well.
– We know what we can do now and we have a lot of self-confidence. But I think there is another level we can go to,” Swedish defender Gustav Forsling told Sportbaldet after the 4-2 win.
You would think the Florida Panthers would be a little happy after their impressive Game 7 victory in Boston last Sunday.
With that, they completed what is already known as one of the biggest upsets in Stanley Cup history.
But forget it.
Immediately after that success, they traveled to Toronto and there they gathered on opening night of the second round for another very inspiring effort as well as the Maple Leafs – who themselves are floating on the clouds after finally advancing into the playoffs for the first time in nineteen years.
– But this opponent was a little smarter than the previous one. Just to congratulate Florida, they had a great game, says Leafs coach.
Swedish cat Gustav Forsling agrees.
– Yes, I think it was a good game on our part. We’ve got good experience on the team now, we know what we can do and we just want to build on what we did against Boston,” he said on the phone from Toronto.
– But at the same time, I think we can play better. There is another level we can reach.
Goalkeeper Serge Bobrovsky really reached a new level in this first round against the Leafs – playing his best game of the entire playoffs – but otherwise it was the same old game winner who once again led the pack.
Defender Brandon Montour scored his sixth goal since the start of the playoffs, sudden-death champion Carter Verhaeghe again stopped the deciding set in the match, and Gen. Matthew Tkachuk responded with three assists.
The latter, in particular, seemed to hit the whole team with his incredible attitude and emerged as an early favorite for Conn Smith.
– We have many good captains in the team, but yeah, he’s been great all season and he’s still really into the playoffs, says Forsling.
Who didn’t score himself any points last night, but with nearly 26 minutes he had the most ice time of anyone at Scotiabank Arena.
“Of course it’s fun to get a lot of confidence and I’m used to playing a lot now,” says the 26-year-old Ostgotten.
Calle Järnkrok assisted one of his home goals.