Maple Leafs prepared for what Bennett, Marchand will bring

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The Maple Leafs are ready for a potential Florida Panthers dose of double trouble.

Heading into the Panthers’ game in Montreal against the Canadiens on Tuesday, Florida coach Paul Maurice had shift-disturbers Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand playing on the same line.

“We talk about it,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said. “They’re going to do their thing that they do, and they’re going to try to disrupt you and try to draw you into a penalty.

“You can’t react to it. You have to initiate, stand your ground, but you have to be careful with taking the extra shot or swing. It’s hard, but at the same time, that’s what they want. We can’t get drawn into that.”

Bennett and Marchand have the ability to impact the game anywhere on the 200-foot sheet, but it’s in the offensive zone, especially around the Leafs net, where Toronto will have to be careful.

The net-front defence will be crucial, and goalie Anthony Stolarz, the probable starter, knows he’s going to have to be prepared for some added action in and around his crease.

“Florida is a team that likes to go to the net,” Stolarz said. “They like to try to get under your skin a little bit. We have to continue to focus on ourselves, go out there and worry about our game and not them rattle us.

“As a goalie, it’s part of the game. They’re going to bump you. And I’m pretty big guy. If I can, I’ll stand up for myself. That’s part of their tactics. They like to drive hard, and they like to cash in on those rebound chances and loose change around the net.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

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