3 most impressive Toronto Maple Leafs players from their 2-0 Game 6 win over Florida Panthers feat. Auston Matthews

The Toronto Maple Leafs redeemed themselves after Game 5’s blowout loss, winning Game 6 2-0 to force a Game 7 on Sunday night at Scotiabank Arena.

Auston Matthews and Max Pacioretty scored in the third period to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs past a flat Panthers squad that just couldn’t get much going.

The score could have been much worse for Florida if not for Sergei Bobrovsky’s strong game.

So, here’s a look at the three most impressive Toronto Maple Leafs players from their Game 6 win on Friday night at Amerant Bank Arena.

3 most impressive Toronto Maple Leafs players from Game 6 over Florida Panthers

#1 Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty has been a revelation for the Toronto Maple Leafs this postseason. After missing much of the second half of the regular season, Pacioretty found himself in the lineup for Game 3 in the Ottawa series.

Since then, he’s been money in the bank. That was on full display as Pacioretty got his third playoff goal at the 14:17 mark of the third period.

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Pacioretty’s goal left an already quiet Amerant Bank Arena dead silent. His performances in the postseason have shown the veteran forward has plenty of gas left in the tank.

#2 Joseph Woll

Joseph Woll was brilliant, getting a shutout with the Leafs facing elimination- Source: Imagn

What a way for Joseph Woll to redeem himself following his dismal performance in Game 5. The Leafs netminder stopped all 22 shots he faced on the night, surviving a third-period onslaught as the Panthers frantically tried to get the equalizer.

Woll’s bounce-back game is a testament to his resilience. With his confidence running high, he could be the player to watch in Game 7.

#3 Auston Matthews

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has been the subject of criticism regarding his lack of goal-scoring output during the second-round series with the Panthers.

But Matthews found the best time to get his first goal of the series, breaking a deadlock in the third period.

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Matthews took a pass from Mitch Marner and rifled a shot right between Bobrovsky’s legs. The puck found the back of the net.

The look of relief and determination on Matthews’ face said it all as the Toronto captain capped off one of his best games this postseason.

With the win, the Leafs and Panthers will face off in a winner-take-all Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night with a ticket to meet the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final on the line.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan