Toronto Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz is drawing the line in the sand ahead of the club’s clash with the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old who won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers just last season has made it clear that he’s putting his friendships with former teammates aside for now, keeping his circle tight and inside the Maple Leafs locker room ahead of the postseason.
“We wouldn't hold it against a guy if he's going to see someone on the other team. But I think just at this time of year, I want to keep everything internal,” said Lorentz after Tuesday’s morning skate. “You want your group to be as tight as possible. Like I said, this is our group, so I'm going to keep it inside the group.”
'In The Playoffs, That's Going To Be Huge': Steven Lorentz Scores Fourth Game-Winning Goal Of Season In Maple Leafs' Win Over Ducks Lorentz had two goals in the playoffs last spring with Florida, one of which was a game-winner.
When asked whether he had tried to catch up with any former Panthers teammates during his time in Florida, Lorentz was direct.
“Not really. No, try to keep it internal. Obviously, there's no secret what's going on in the standings and stuff. So it's a battle right now. Like I said, it's a new season. So we're trying to win,” said Lorentz.
The Waterloo, Ontario, native signed a one-year, $775,000 deal with the Leafs in the offseason, leaving the Panthers in NHL free agency after their championship run. Through 74 games this season, Lorentz has posted seven goals, 10 assists, and 17 points. With the playoffs on the horizon, Lorentz is locking in ahead of two crucial games in Florida on Tuesday and Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
“Yeah, good memories (here). That's in the past. We've got a job to do, so that's the focus right now. I know it's obviously what's happened to happen, but again, we've been on a new team all season, and this is where my heart's at right now, and this is where we want to win. So that's where my mind is,” said Lorentz.
'It Was Definitely Worth The Wait': Maple Leafs' Steven Lorentz, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, And Anthony Stolarz Receive Stanley Cup Rings From Panthers Ahead Of Game Against Former ClubLorentz, Ekman-Larsson, and Stolarz are all expected to be in the lineup for Toronto on Wednesday evening in Florida.
With only six games left in the regular season, Toronto is fighting for seeding in a tight race with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Panthers, and the up-and-coming Ottawa Senators. The Leafs hold a two-point lead over Tampa and a six-point advantage over Florida, making the two-game stretch in Fort Lauderdale critical.
The Leafs defeated the Panthers less than a week ago at Scotiabank Arena, 3-2, with Tuesday's game being the final regular season meeting between the two this year. With the standings so tight, every point matters at this point, and Lorentz isn’t allowing off-ice distractions to get in the way.
“This means a lot for a lot of different reasons. Again, obviously coming back here. But at the same time, standings-wise, it's obviously a tight race with these guys and the Lightning. Ottawa is us catching up, too. So it's tight all over the NHL,” Lorentz explained. “There's spots to be made up and places to be earned. And teams are going to get jumped. There's going to be a lot of movement, but we just have to focus on ourselves one day at a time.”
‘There’s Still A Lot On The Line’: Maple Leafs Strengthen Atlantic Division Grip With Crucial Win Over Panthers, Secure Ninth Straight Playoff BerthThe Toronto Maple Leafs took another step forward towards securing the top spot in the Atlantic Division on Wednesday night with a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena.
Balancing Act
The situation resonates with all members of the Maple Leafs, but that does not mean that every player is taking the same avenue. Teammate John Tavares, while respecting Lorentz’s mindset, has a slightly different perspective on how to navigate the final stretch of the regular season – with a more balanced approach heading into the playoffs.
The 34-year-old, who has been a pillar of leadership for the Leafs since he arrived in Toronto in 2018, understands the need to be focused on the ultimate goal while also having an appreciation for the moment – labeling it as a “balancing act.”
‘All These Points Matter’: Maple Leafs Separate Themselves In Atlantic Division Race With Win Over Ducks, Successful California Road TripThe Toronto Maple Leafs capped off a successful California road trip with a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. The club secured five of a possible six points, going 2-0-1 in three games and creating some breathing room at the top of the Atlantic Division.
“I think we know playoffs are coming and what that time of year is all about and what it means. But I think trying to switch, flip a switch, so to speak, I think you want to just build yourself throughout the year. So to me, it's just been a constant build on how we've been playing and the style of hockey that's played at the time of year that it is. I wouldn't say that all of a sudden we just decided to get a real seriousness or intense... But I think there's a recognition of where we're at this season and the way we want our team trending and how we're approaching everything on a daily basis, but also trying to make sure you're enjoying yourself and appreciating the opportunity and making the most of it,” said Tavares.
“So that's always the balancing act of trying to make sure having fun, but that's a competitive intensity that's needed on a nightly basis. But certainly, at this time of year, it's at the forefront.”
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