<p>In a few short days, it really feels like the potential of a Round 1 Battle of Ontario is slipping away.</p>
<p>That’s because the Florida Panthers are sliding. And sliding fast.</p>
<p>That’s where the conversation started on the Monday edition of Leafs Morning Take. In case you missed it, on Sunday, Paul Maurice and the Cats raised some eyebrows when they scratched a lot of their big boys. Unsurprisingly, they lost 2-1 in Detroit and are now just two points ahead of the red-hot Ottawa Senators. So, yes, there’s a world where the Leafs could win the Atlantic Divison and still end up playing the defending Stanley Cup champions.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Is Florida Tanking For Toronto? 🤔" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qRiU7o4hlHE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>After that, of course, we talked some Alex Ovechkin. Sunday afternoon on Long Island was magical. It was a record we thought would never be broken, yet here we are. What a story, what a moment.</p>
<p>Then, we got into a full recap of Saturday night’s 5-0 beatdown of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Toronto’s won four in a row and eight of 10. Indisputably, they’re heating up at the right time with the Stanley Cup Playoffs just around the corner. Nick Robertson potted two goals in his return to the lineup after being healthy scratched for three consecutive games. Meantime, Craig Berube’s decision to go with Anthony Stolarz proved to be a smart one as the 31-year-old posted a 27-save shutout, his second as a Maple Leaf. Toronto showed a bunch of grit in that game, too. Steven Lorentz had a good tilt with Sean Kuraly and Simon Benoit put up a good fight against Mathieu Olivier. Furthermore, Matthew Knies played like an absolute beast. He was everywhere. Also, William Nylander’s now just six goals shy of 50 and Auston Matthews hit the 30 goal plateau for the ninth straight season.</p>
<p>Speaking of which, the Leafs’ captain was highlighted in the CRISPI HOT TAKE OF THE DAY, presented by the <a href="https://www.ninjakitchen.ca/products/ninja-crispi-4-in-1-portable-glass-air-fryer-cooking-system-zidFN101CGY?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=olv&amp;utm_campaign=25Q2-Crispi&amp;utm_content=en">Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer.</a> Producer Vick thinks like Ovechkin, Matthews will pass Gretzky’s goal total one day, too. Another day, another spicy hot take for Producer Vick. That’s a lot of goals.</p>
<p>David Pagnotta will be in for Jay Rosehill on the Tuesday edition of Leafs Morning Take. Join us at 11 AM ET as we preview Toronto’s fourth and final regular season battle with the rival Florida Panthers.</p>
<p>You can subscribe to TheLeafsNation (TLN) YouTube channel <a href="https://bit.ly/TLN401">HERE</a>. Additionally, we’re available in podcast form, too —wherever you get your podcasts. While you’re at it, be sure to leave us a 5-star review!</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Florida Wants Toronto" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wgZgwfAx1eg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>


In a few short days, it really feels like the potential of a Round 1 Battle of Ontario is slipping away.

That’s because the Florida Panthers are sliding. And sliding fast.

That’s where the conversation started on the Monday edition of Leafs Morning Take. In case you missed it, on Sunday, Paul Maurice and the Cats raised some eyebrows when they scratched a lot of their big boys. Unsurprisingly, they lost 2-1 in Detroit and are now just two points ahead of the red-hot Ottawa Senators. So, yes, there’s a world where the Leafs could win the Atlantic Divison and still end up playing the defending Stanley Cup champions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRiU7o4hlHE

&nbsp;

After that, of course, we talked some Alex Ovechkin. Sunday afternoon on Long Island was magical. It was a record we thought would never be broken, yet here we are. What a story, what a moment.

Then, we got into a full recap of Saturday night’s 5-0 beatdown of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Toronto’s won four in a row and eight of 10. Indisputably, they’re heating up at the right time with the Stanley Cup Playoffs just around the corner. Nick Robertson potted two goals in his return to the lineup after being healthy scratched for three consecutive games. Meantime, Craig Berube’s decision to go with Anthony Stolarz proved to be a smart one as the 31-year-old posted a 27-save shutout, his second as a Maple Leaf. Toronto showed a bunch of grit in that game, too. Steven Lorentz had a good tilt with Sean Kuraly and Simon Benoit put up a good fight against Mathieu Olivier. Furthermore, Matthew Knies played like an absolute beast. He was everywhere. Also, William Nylander’s now just six goals shy of 50 and Auston Matthews hit the 30 goal plateau for the ninth straight season.

Speaking of which, the Leafs’ captain was highlighted in the CRISPI HOT TAKE OF THE DAY, presented by the <a href="https://www.ninjakitchen.ca/products/ninja-crispi-4-in-1-portable-glass-air-fryer-cooking-system-zidFN101CGY?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=olv&amp;utm_campaign=25Q2-Crispi&amp;utm_content=en">Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer.</a> Producer Vick thinks like Ovechkin, Matthews will pass Gretzky’s goal total one day, too. Another day, another spicy hot take for Producer Vick. That’s a lot of goals.

David Pagnotta will be in for Jay Rosehill on the Tuesday edition of Leafs Morning Take. Join us at 11 AM ET as we preview Toronto’s fourth and final regular season battle with the rival Florida Panthers.

You can subscribe to TheLeafsNation (TLN) YouTube channel <a href="https://bit.ly/TLN401">HERE</a>. Additionally, we’re available in podcast form, too —wherever you get your podcasts. While you’re at it, be sure to leave us a 5-star review!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgZgwfAx1eg

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