Another three-game offering on Friday with the Panthers looking to go up 2-0 against the Bolts, and the Leafs hoping to punish the Senators further in the Battle of Ontario. Our hockey tipster Ryan Cook breaks down both games in our Friday NHL tips!
Game 2 – FLA Leads 1-0
The Panthers pounced all over their biggest rivals in Game 1 on Wednesday, piling on the goals in a 6-2 victory to send the rest of the league a serious message.
Scoring twice, Matthew Tkachuk left his fingerprints all over the victory, while centre Sam Reinhart added to the scoresheet after spending just over 19 minutes all up on the ice.
As if those two names scoring goals wasn’t worrying enough, the Lightning now have big concerns their own centre, Anthony Cirelli, leaving the ice with an undisclosed injury and not returning.
His status for Game 2 is still unknown as I write, but it already feels like Florida’s decision to rest some of their top stars during the late stretch of the regular season has already paid off.
To top if off, finishing 3/3 on the power play was a great sign to kick off the playoffs, and after laying 48 hits, it’s clear the Panthers are the more physical team.
Game 3 – TOR Leads 2-0
Are the Leafs different this year? Or have they just gotten lucky?
Toronto was far from its best during Wednesday’s overtime win in Game 2, but as the old saying goes, good teams find a way to win close games – although it certainly helps when you have goal-scoring help from your second and third lines.
The Sens will take plenty away from that heartbreaking loss, especially after outshooting Toronto and clawing back from a 2-0 deficit thanks to a strong third period from Tim Stutzle.
Overall, though, Wednesday’s game had the feel of a hard-fought playoff game, one that produced few scoring opportunities and put big pressure on both goaltenders.
With this rivalry starting to heat up now and both sides getting a feel for each other, I’m happy to sit on the fence here and play the Under again.