could swing the series.
Both teams had top-10 power plays in the regular season, but the Leafs’ unit has looked especially sharp in the playoffs. Marner’s playmaking from the wall, combined with Matthews’ one-timer from the bumper spot, creates nightmares for opposing penalty kills.
Florida’s penalty kill is aggressive and forces mistakes. If they can limit Toronto’s man-advantage chances, they’ll keep things tight.
Stolarz is playing with house money—he’s calm and unflappable. Bobrovsky has seen it all and won it all. Goaltending isn’t just about save percentage in the playoffs—it’s about making the big stop at the right time. Whoever wins the clutch moments between the pipes could decide this war of attrition.
The rookie winger has quietly grown into a dependable power forward. His combination of size, skating, and puck protection gives Toronto a different look in their top six. If he can chip in offensively, he could tilt matchups in the Leafs’ favor.
Bennett is a playoff beast. He plays with an edge that borders on reckless, but he’s also smart enough to exploit weak matchups. Watch for him to get under the skin of Toronto’s defense and open space for linemates like Tkachuk.
Sheldon Keefe remains under intense scrutiny. Each playoff loss in years past has added more pressure, but he’s done an excellent job adjusting this season. His line juggling and emphasis on defensive responsibility have kept Toronto from unraveling.
Paul Maurice, on the other hand, is a master of getting his team emotionally ready. His experience behind the bench was crucial in Florida’s run last year, and he knows exactly how to neutralize a team that relies on top-end scoring. His trap-style coaching may frustrate Leafs fans—but it’s brutally effective.
