Rapid Rise of the Florida Panthers Means Bad News for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Being in the same division as the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, two teams that have
consistently been contenders for the Stanley Cup over the previous 10 years, has never been easy
for the Toronto Maple Leafs.The Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff run beyond the first round seemed
to be perpetually obstructed, for whatever reason, by one of them, as their expedition would
typically come to an end at the hands of the other.
With the quick rise of a powerful Florida Panthers team over the last several years, you can now
add another titan to the ranks.
A few years ago, the Panthers started to move up the standings slowly but surely as they developed
a potent defensive corps that could match up with any offensive onslaught on the other team.
But their inability to score goals and some dubious goaltending had prevented them from
progressing. They would therefore have decent regular season results, but in the end, they were
eliminated from the playoffs in the first round.
However, it was the Panthers’ incredible playoff comeback against the Bruins in the first round that
has made them a force to be reckoned with. The club gained the strong belief that they could win
almost anyone in the league if they worked hard as a unit and adhered to their system after rallying
from a 3-1 deficit to overcome Boston in the series.
The Panthers have become into an unstoppable power since then. Their players’ mutual belief in
one another and flawless execution of their coach’s schemes has been impressive to see, and their
attack, defense, and goaltending have all balanced out and been as complete as one could hope for.
Look away now, but if they keep playing the way they are now and for the foreseeable future, they
may create a dynasty in the process.
Should it prove to be true, the Maple Leafs may be in serious danger. It’s not as though the
obnoxious Bruins and unrelenting Lightning weren’t enough, but now that the Panthers are rising
above the other two teams in the league, it’s become a complete nightmare for the Leafs.
Forget about attempting to win a Stanley Cup; if they had to face the Bruins, Lightning, and
Panthers every year, Toronto would be lucky to simply get out of their own division.
Whether you like it or not, it seems like they might continue their losing run without a Stanley Cup
for a little while longer, at least, until the three of them start to regress. To stand a chance of
winning in the future, the Toronto Maple Leafs either need to get their act together or face the
consequences of falling short of the top.
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