After a strong start, Leafs fall flat on their faces; Keefe makes excuses for OT loss in Game 3
After being the better team in the first 2 games of the series with nothing to show for it, the Toronto Maple Leafs didn't have the same intensity, flair, and energy in Game 3, despite scoring the opening goal 2:26 into the game - courtesy of Sam Lafferty's first ever post-season goal.
The first play of the game was Auston Matthews' snap shot that hit the cross-bar, only 18 seconds in. The Leafs then scored the first goal and looked to be buzzing in enemy territory as they were trying to get back in the series, and unwilling to go down 0-3 with history not on their side.
Unfortunately they only fired 3 more shots in the first period, only had 1 in a span of the final 15 minutes, and none in the final 13. They found themselves in a tie game heading into the third period but were unable to solve Sergei Bobrovsky in large part because their star players were invisible.
For the first time in franchise history, the Maple Leafs did not receive a single power play attempt in a playoff game. There were a couple ticky-tacky calls that didn't go their way but with how the playoffs are officiated, not much of an argument can be made. The Panthers did receive 2 of their own and scored on one of their chances after Woll had entered the game.
Sheldon Keefe didn't have too much to say after that one:
"A lot of opportunities for our guys in the first five minutes, Auston puts one off the bar. Florida plugged it up after that. No power plays makes it more challenging."
When asked about his star players like Mitch Marner being shut down, he replied with:
"It's a team game"
Not wanting to call out his star players is one thing, however his depth players were not the problem in this one - or in the series as a whole - as the "Core 4" have yet to pot one past Bobrovsky in the series.
No power plays being called is definitely tough to overcome, especially with a man advantage as potent as the one the Leafs carry, but that can't be the excuse that lingers around Keefe and the Leafs with elimination now on the line heading into Wednesday night.
