Craig Berube pinpoints exactly where Toronto Maple Leafs lost control of Panthers game - Source: Imagn
The Toronto Maple Leafs crumbled to a 5-1 loss at the hands of the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night at FLA Live Arena. Leafs head coach Craig Beube claimed that the game was evenly matched during five-on-five play, but the special teams made the difference.
Florida wasted no time taking control on the night, jumping to a 2-0 lead within the first five minutes. Aleksander Barkov opened the scoring with a power-play one-timer for his fifth goal of the season, followed by Mackie Samoskevich adding an even-strength tally less than a minute later.
Toronto struggled to respond despite a strong push in the second period. However, the Panthers struck again as Sam Reinhart netted a short-handed goal late in the frame. Mitch Marner scored a power-play goal moments later but it was the only one from their side on the night. Carter Verhaeghe added a power-play marker in the third, and Sam Bennett sealed the game with an empty-netter later.
