The Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled in the same division as the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning over the past decade. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff path beyond the first round was always blocked by one or the other, as they generally lost to one. With the Florida Panthers’ meteoric rise in recent years, you can now add another juggernaut. A few years ago, the Panthers slowly but surely rose up the standings by creating a powerful defense that could match up to any offense.
Their lack of offensive firepower and poor goaltending prevented them from advancing. They posted respectable regular season numbers but lost early in the playoffs. The Florida Panthers’ Rapid Rise Hurts the Toronto Maple Leafs The Panthers’ remarkable playoff comeback against the Bruins last season has made them a force to be reckoned with. Coming back from 3-1 down in the series to upset Boston gave the team the confidence that if they worked hard together in their system, they could beat anyone in the league.
From there, the Panthers became unstoppable. Their offense, defense, and goaltending are complete, and their players’ belief in each other and execution of their coach’s ideas are impressive. They could construct a dynasty if they keep playing as they are doing and in the near future. If so, the Maple Leafs could be in big danger. The Leafs’ situation has become much worse as the Panthers have leapt into the league’s top tier and become stronger than the Bruins and Lightning.
Toronto would be lucky to escape their division if they have to play the Bruins, Lightning, and Panthers each year. Toronto Maple Leafs Mitch Marner Rumor Loses Again. Like it or not, their Stanley Cup drought may continue until the trio regresses. Alternatively, the Toronto Maple Leafs must improve to compete with the elite to succeed in the future.
