Maple Leafs' Matthews on eve of second round: 'We're ready to go'

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Let the second-round games begin.

After a day off, an optional practice and a full practice, the Maple Leafs are eager for the opening faceoff of Game 1 against the Florida Panthers on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena.

“We’re prepared, we’re ready to go,” Leafs captain Auston Matthews said on Sunday. “There’s a lot of excitement going into it.

“It has been nice for us as a group to have a bit of a reset the last couple days and take what you need and leading into this, we know the challenge that lies ahead.”

Matthews, as he should, will come under scrutiny in the series. He’s coming off a sharp first round against the Ottawa Senators, having recorded seven points (two goals and five assists) in six game and excelling in the faceoff circle. With just Game 7 between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets remaining in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs prior to Sunday, Matthews was second in the NHL in faceoff wins at 59.5%. Florida captain Aleksander Barkov was third at 59.3%.

Matthews and Barkov are bound to see a lot of each other.

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“He’s probably the best two-way player, two-way centre in the league in my opinion,” Matthews said. “Offensively, he is extremely skilled and talented, as well as defensively.

“It’s always a challenge going up against guys like that. You have to stay patient with your game and work for your chances.”

Finding space in a series where the Panthers won’t be giving any away will fall on the shoulders of Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and the rest of the Leafs’ point producers.

“We’re prepared to play whatever kind of game it takes,” Matthews said. “We’ve proven that throughout the season. We’ve proven that last series.

“There is going to be a lot of shifts where you go out there, there is not going to be a whole lot going on. It’s just staying patient.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun