Paul Maurice, head coach of the Florida Panthers, spoke to the media after his team’s impressive 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series. In the press conference, he discussed the standout performance of his goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, who was instrumental in securing the victory. Maurice emphasized the importance of having a goaltender who can win games for the team in crucial moments.
He also touched on the team’s mindset during the first intermission, when they were struggling to keep pace with the Maple Leafs. Despite being a few goals down, Maurice stressed the need for his team to stay in the fight and not give up. He acknowledged that the team had missed some opportunities and made mistakes but praised their character and ability to battle through adversity.
Maurice also spoke about the importance of the team’s forecheck and how it was affected by the grueling schedule of playing five games in nine nights. He emphasized the need for rest and recovery, recognizing that the emotional and physical toll of the past few games had been significant.
Finally, Maurice expressed his excitement about returning home for the next game and the prospect of playing in front of their fans. He spoke about the boost the team gets from the crowd and how it can propel them to victory. Overall, Maurice’s insights into the team’s performance and mindset demonstrate his expertise and leadership as a coach.