Let’s dig in. If we’re talking about the Florida Panthers’ physical dominance, it’s not just vibes — it’s in the stat sheet, the penalty box, and the injury reports of every team they’ve played. Here's a deeper look at the numbers and the edge they bring:
🔍 Florida’s Bruising Blueprint: By the Numbers
🚨 Hits Per Game
Florida leads the playoffs in total hits — averaging over 41 hits per game, with players like Sam Bennett, Nick Cousins, and Aaron Ekblad dishing it out like it’s the ‘90s again. In Game 1 alone vs. Edmonton, Florida registered 48 hits, nearly doubling the Oilers' total.
Compare that to the Leafs series, where Toronto averaged just 27 hits per game, often reacting to physicality instead of dictating it.
😤 Penalty Minutes
Here’s the kicker: Florida isn’t afraid to take penalties — and they make it work.
Average PIM per game this postseason: 13.2 (Top 3 among playoff teams)
Brad Marchand, true to form, has drawn more penalties than he's taken, baiting opponents into emotional responses.
Sam Bennett alone has racked up 30+ PIM in the playoffs — but his forecheck sets the tone.
Despite the box time, they’ve allowed just 6 power play goals in 15 games. Their PK unit — led by Ekblad, Forsling, and Montour — is aggressive and fast.
💪 Forecheck Metrics
Florida leads in Offensive Zone Pressure Time, disrupting breakout plays with a heavy 2-1-2 forecheck. In the Leafs series, that forced 30+ turnovers per game, many in dangerous spots. They did the same to Edmonton in Game 1 — smothering the McDavid line and forcing Draisaitl into bad zone exits.
🧊 Blocked Shots & Defensive Commitment
Blocking shots is a sign of sacrifice, and Florida leads all teams with:
287 blocked shots this postseason
Gustav Forsling alone has 40+ blocks, sacrificing the body without hesitation
Sergei Bobrovsky has benefited from that commitment, seeing fewer clean shots than most goalies
🧠 Why It Matters
The Oilers are a finesse team with finishers — McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, and Nugent-Hopkins. When they’re allowed to move the puck freely, they can embarrass defenders. But Florida doesn’t let you feel comfortable.
And when teams lose their cool? That’s when guys like Marchand go to work. Just ask Toronto — Game 4 of that series unraveled on one bad penalty and a five-minute major where the Leafs completely lost momentum.
The Panthers aren’t just playing hockey — they’re playing mind games. And unless Edmonton stays composed, out-skates their forecheck, and capitalizes on Florida’s aggression, the story might end the same way it did for the Leafs:
A short summer and a long list of bruises.