SUNRISE, Fla.—After a nail-biting overtime defeat in Game 3, the Maple Leafs are poised for a crucial matchup in Game 4, eager to secure a split in Florida.

A victory tonight would swing the series in Toronto's favor, granting them a commanding 3-1 lead. Conversely, a loss would shift the momentum entirely, turning the remaining games into a best-of-three battle. The stakes couldn’t be higher in what feels like the most pivotal playoff series in recent Leafs history.

"We can either let that loss linger or seize the opportunity to make adjustments and focus," coach Craig Berube stated, emphasizing the need to regroup after the disappointment. "We anticipated a long series, and now, we have the chance to go into Game 4 and split the series. That’s where our focus must be."

### Projected Lineup for Game 4

- **Knies—Matthews—Marner** - **Pacioretty—Tavares—Nylander** - **McMann—Domi—Holmberg** - **Lorentz—Laughton—Järnkrok** - **McCabe—Tanev** - **Rielly—Carlo** - **Benoit—Ekman-Larsson** - **Woll** - **Murray**

Eyes will be on Max Pacioretty in this game. Despite his solid playoff performance, if the Panthers unleash their top line against Pacioretty—who is partnering with John Tavares and William Nylander—there's a chance Berube might swap him out for a faster player like Pontus Holmberg. At 36, it’s a considerable challenge to face off against opponents like Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart.

The Leafs have faced difficulties, with their bottom two lines contributing only a single goal throughout the series. Increased productivity from these units is essential as they aim to turn the tide.

### Key Questions Ahead of Game 4

Can Joseph Woll Reclaim His Momentum?

Joseph Woll hasn't performed poorly, making critical saves in important moments. Yet, he's also allowed some tough shots, particularly in Game 3, which has been uncharacteristic of him. If he can steal a game against the Panthers, it could shift the series in Toronto's favor. The question remains: how will he rise to the occasion under pressure?

How to Contain Brad Marchand?

Brad Marchand has been a game-changer for the Panthers. With two goals—including the decisive OT goal in Game 3—plus assists and penalties drawn, he’s been a relentless force. The Leafs' top line, featuring Auston Matthews, may be key in countering Marchand's influence, which has dominated play so far.

Will Auston Matthews Finally Break Free?

Defensively, Matthews has been stellar, marking a significant impact against Florida's leading forwards. But offensively, he has yet to find the net, despite providing three assists. Despite Toronto outscoring the Panthers 5-2 at even strength with him on the ice, he has struggled with his shot accuracy—leading all players in missed shots throughout the playoffs. The Leafs desperately need Matthews to unleash his typical scoring prowess.

"He’s a phenomenal scorer, and I’m not too worried. He’s doing what he can; he just needs to find the net more effectively," Berube reflected on Matthews as Game 4 approaches.

### Watch the Action!

Don’t miss a moment—the puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET, tune in on Sportsnet, CBC, TVAS, TBS, TruTV, and Max to catch all the excitement!