Recreation 4 of the Jap Convention semifinals between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs was full of depth and physicality, however one second stood out above the remaining.
Simply 5 minutes into the ultimate body, Florida ahead Evan Rodrigues took a brutal hit from former teammate Oliver Ekman-Larsson. A brawny defenseman, Ekman-Larsson leveled Rodrigues with a excessive hit that despatched him sprawling to the ice. The hit was initially referred to as a serious penalty for interference, leading to a five-minute energy play for the Panthers, however after a prolonged dialogue from the officers, it was lowered to a two-minute minor.
The choice drew frustration from the Panthers’ bench, who felt the impression of the hit deserved a harsher punishment. Rodrigues remained down on the ice for a number of moments earlier than being helped off by crew trainers. The 31-year-old ahead didn’t return for the rest of the sport. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed that Rodrigues would require additional analysis and commentary the next day, whereas his standing stays unsure for Recreation 5.
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Regardless of the scare, the Panthers stayed centered and delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sergei Bobrovsky was a wall within the web, stopping all 23 photographs he confronted to earn his fifth profession playoff shutout. His efficiency saved Toronto off the scoreboard and set the tone for Florida’s protection. The Maple Leafs struggled to seek out clear seems to be, and after they did, Bobrovsky was there to close the door.
Florida’s protection did its half as nicely. The Panthers managed the tempo and shut down Toronto’s high scorers. Their bodily play disrupted the Maple Leafs’ rhythm, forcing them into rushed photographs and poor puck choices. Florida’s aggressive forecheck made it tough for Toronto to get clear zone entries, additional irritating their offensive makes an attempt.
The sport additionally noticed heightened physicality throughout the ice. Toronto’s Max Domi took a boarding penalty for a success on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. Tempers flared late within the recreation, leading to 10-minute misconducts for Bobby McMann, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand. The referees had their palms full as each groups ramped up the physicality in anticipation of Recreation 5.
With the sequence now tied at 2-2, Recreation 5 in Toronto guarantees to be one other fierce battle. Rodrigues’ standing stays in query, and his absence may impression the Panthers’ depth. For now, Florida rides the momentum of a shutout win and appears to take management of the sequence on the street. All eyes shall be on how each groups reply to the physicality and drama of Recreation 4.