Florida Panthers introduce new 'gold medal game' line that's set to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs

Sam Walker

Feb 26, 2026 (10:32)

Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Matthew Tkachuk's new Florida Panthers power play looks like an Olympic gold unit, and it's coming for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

George Richards called it a «gold medal game power play,» and the five names jump off the screen.

It's Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, with Uvis Balinskis running the point.

That's not subtle roster construction, that's a dare.

Reinhart's been Florida's engine all season at 27-28-55, and he's the cleanest release on the man advantage.

Bennett brings the chaos, already at 19-23-42, and he lives for rebounds and cross-checks at the top of the paint.

Marchand has 25-25-50, and if Leafs fans hated him before, they're going to hate him more when he starts chirping from the bumper spot.

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Balinskis is the twist, a left-shot quarterback with 5-9-14 who's been getting real looks up top lately.

Tkachuk's raw totals are low at 3-5-8, but the whole point is what he drags into the zone, defenders and emotions included.

Leafs fans know this movie, Florida turns one power play into a three-minute wrestling match, and the building gets loud fast.

Toronto walks in at 27-22-9, Florida at 29-25-3, and both teams badly need points in the Atlantic squeeze.

The chess move is Balinskis at the top instead of a heavier shooter, because it speeds up the puck and opens Reinhart on the right flank.

If Toronto collapses, Marchand slips into the soft ice and Bennett screens between the pipes until somebody loses him.

If Toronto pressures high, Tkachuk becomes the release valve, then the seam pass shows up and it's basically over.

Thursday night feels like the kind of test where one failed clear changes the whole vibe, for both benches.

Previously on Sunrise Hockey Insider

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FEVRIER 26\|35 ANSWERS Florida Panthers introduce new 'gold medal game' line that's set to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Matthew Tkachuk's new Florida Panthers power play stay together against the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Yes	30	85.7 %
No	5	14.3 %
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