Making a big switch towards Game 3, Maurice replaced the entire fourth line of Nose, Gajovic and AJ Grier, who had recently suffered healthy injuries.
In addition to acquiring a big goal, the fourth line also controlled 62.50% of the 5-for-5 shot attempts.
Gadjovic, who made his NHL playoff debut, said, “I certainly thought it was,” and he was waiting for a chance to return to the lineup. “I was ready. The coach is really great with us. He’s a guy who isn’t playing. We push it in the gym and push it onto the ice.
With momentum gained, the Panthers led 11-3 in their second term with a chance to score.
“The second period was the first block of time we saw identity in this series,” Maurice said. “I think that’s true.”
After the Panthers were able to keep their one-goal lead intact for more than half of their third period, the Maple Leafs have found a way to tie things together thanks to a very fortunate bounce.
Fired a shot from the half wall with the net, Lily Lee sent the puck out of Bobrovsky’s pad and sent it from the defensive man’s leg A to the back of the net, making the score 4-4 at 10:56.
Action worked overtime as the Maple Leafs delayed the penalty kill and held the ground.
During that break, the mood in the Florida locker room was exactly as you would expect.
“We were all positive,” Gadjovich said. “Obviously we got off 3-1. If you said we were going to work overtime at that point, we took it. We reset a bit and took on the challenge.”
The extra frame is as tight as expected, so the Panthers took their first test when Bobrovski had to stop Nilander on the breakaway just before midway point.
He then denied Nee in a partial breakaway attempt.
“He went back there and closed the door,” Werhege said of Bobrovsky. “We trust him.”
After an extended shift, using his tired legs on the ice side of Toronto, Merchand showed off his experience, firing a shot through the net from the top of the left circle that hit his body, waiting for the perfect moment before attacking to secure a crucial 5-4 victory for the Panthers.
