The series between the Maple Leafs and the Panthers is swinging like a pendulum. While the former won the opening two games in a thrilling fashion, the Panthers came back strongly and won the third game 5-4 in OT. With this, the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs still hangs in balance, with the Maple Leafs leading 2-1. In yesterday’s game, the Maple Leafs made a few changes to their lineup, including in the net as goaltender Joseph Woll started the game. With the Maple Leafs conceding as many as five goals, coach Craig Berube made an honest confession about Woll.

Interestingly, the Maple Leafs had Matt Murray in their lineup, who was in the running to serve as their goaltender after regular starter, Anthony Stolarz, suffered an injury in Game 1. As was later revealed, he was left concussed courtesy of Sam Bennett’s elbow, following which he fell to the ice and was later taken off entirely after he vomited on the bench. Woll immediately deputized and though he held down the fort well enough for a 5-4 win, it was a different story in game 3 especially his blunder that led to Florida’s fourth goal pinballing into the net.

During the post-game interview, Berube was asked to share his views about the absence of Murray and Woll’s performance in the game.“He was sick,” Berube said. “Murray was sick that’s why. I thought he was really good, I mean I don’t love the fourth goal but other than that I thought he was solid.”

With the Panthers on the offensive after the scores were tied 3-3 in the second period, Tomas Nosek beat Joseph Woll with a seeing eye-wrister to score a stunning goal and give the Panthers a 4-3 lead. Subsequently, Woll received massive criticism for failing to block the shot and prevent the goal. Nonetheless, Berube came to his defense and praised his overall game, other than the fourth goal.

The defeat was a break in momentum for the Maple Leafs, after having won the opening two games. After the game, Berube explained the real reason why his team fell behind.

Maple Leafs coach highlights the team’s biggest failure

At a time when the Panthers were facing a huge task of saving their Stanley Cup Playoffs campaign, the defending champions got it all right in Game 3. On the other hand, the Maple Leafs’ tactics clearly backfired, and the injuries also played their part in this. However, Berube had one clear reason why the Maple Leafs failed to defeat the Panthers yesterday.

After the game, Berube revealed, “They had a good second. About that, we weren’t direct in the second. Turned too many pucks over, allowed them to come back at us and play their game, and got hemmed in too much. Third period, we did our thing again. I thought we had a good third. And OT is OT.”

Additionally, Berube also praised Brad Marchand for adding creativity to the Panthers’ lineup. He scored a goal and had some good moments in the game to cap off a fantastic display from the Panthers. With this win, the series is nicely poised, and it is still anyone’s game. Who do you feel would progress through to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs semifinals? Let us know your views in the comments below.