Panthers head coach Paul Maurice highlighted the exceptional talent of Auston Matthews as a goal-scorer, emphasizing the unpredictability of his shots and the elite skills shared by top players like Alex Ovechkin. He noted that an advantage exists for teams coming off intense playoff series, as they maintain a rhythm, although this can change with fatigue. Maurice reflected on his team's trail from a previous seven-game series and the lessons learned about handling pressure during close-out games. Brad Marchand's playoff success against teams like Toronto adds an extra competitive element to the matchups.
What stands out about matching up against someone of Auston Matthews' goal-scoring talent? Maurice: You would be better off talking to a goaltender or a goalie coach about that, but one theme for all of the elite goal-scorers is that it is hard to pick it up once it comes off his stick.
I do think that a team coming off a seven-game series is just in rhythm. There is an advantage. Now, it may not continue because fatigue may eventually change, and the series changes.
After going to seven games in the first series, it was our first 'close-out' game. We learned an awful lot about what happens when you want it really bad and how it translates into the things you do with the puck and your feet.
Brad Marchand has had so much success against Toronto and Tampa in the playoffs, and there's no doubt that he brings a competitive edge that can affect the outcome of the games.
Collection
[
|
...
]