Florida Panthers get back into Game 3 against Maple Leafs on controversial goal [WATCH]

The Florida Panthers got back into Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night with the most controversial goal of the series.

With the Maple Leafs leading 3-1 midway through the second period, the Panthers pushed to cut the two-goal deficit. Following a play in close, a scrum led to the puck squeaking past Leafs’ goaltender Joseph Woll.

The puck crossed the line as Woll was pushed into the net. The goal was not originally called on the ice, but later confirmed upon video review.

Here’s a look at the goal:

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The replay showed Leafs’ defender Brandon Carlo attempting to clear the puck with the shaft of his broken stick. The in-net camera captured a wonderful angle, showing the puck clearly crossing the line.

The goal was awarded to Sam Reinhart. 63 seconds later, Carter Verhaeghe scored to tie the game for the Panthers, knotting up the game at three in the second period.

The Panthers scored one more time in the second period to take a 4-3 lead into the third.

Florida Panthers take Game 3 on Brad Marchand overtime winner

Brad Marchand was the hero for the Florida Panthers in Game 3 - Source: Imagn

The Toronto Maple Leafs came back to tie the game after the Florida Panthers took a 4-3 lead into the third period.

The game went into overtime, with Brad Marchand playing the role of hero on Friday night. A renowned Leafs killer, Marchand scored at 15:27 of the extra frame to lift the Panthers past Toronto.

Here’s a look at the game-winner:

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The replay showed Marchand’s shot hitting Leafs’ defender Morgan Rielly, who was scuffling with Anton Lundell in the front of the net.

The deflection wobbled past Toronto netminder Joseph Woll to end the game and give the Panthers life, as the series is now 2-1.

While the Panthers are far from out of the woods, Marchand’s goal was a huge boost. Instead of going down 3-0 in the series, the Panthers are now right back into the thick of things and could be poised to tie the series on Sunday night in Game 4.

It’s worth pointing out that the Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was brilliant in overtime, stopping two breakaway chances, one by Matthew Knies and the other by William Nylander. The combined effort now has the Panthers within striking distance of evening the series.

Sunday’s Game 4 stands to be the most crucial tilt of the series. A Panthers win will send the series back to Toronto even at two. A loss could mean the end of the Panthers’ season in Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena.

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