We hear it each and every year - the playoffs are a different animal. Players have a limited window with which to work to try to accomplish all of their career goals. In other words, winning a Stanley Cup is hard and players typically need to elevate their game during the playoffs and find a new gear to avoid going home early each spring/summer.
Last series, we saw Luke Schenn temporarily table all of his friendships in Tampa Bay until the series was over and he was shaking hands with his former teammates in the handshake line. Prior to the start of the Leafs' Round 1 series against Tampa, Schenn even told the media he'd be leaving his phone off to players from Tampa until after the series was finished.
Well, it would appear as though another Leaf is following Schenn's lead, as former Panther and current Leafs forward Noel Acciari told the media on Thursday that he is taking a similar approach.
Following Thursday's optional morning skate, Acciari spoke with the media and was asked about his friendships on the other side of the fence. Acciari admitted to still being very close with a lot of the players in Florida after spending 3 seasons in Florida, despite leaving to sign with the Blues last summer. However, he did say that right now, the communication has been cut off.
This may seem pretty cold, but with Acciari already being on the wrong side of 30, time is running out to win a Championship. There's no doubt in my mind that his friends in Florida feel the same way.
