NHL announces referees for Game 6 between the Leafs and the Panthers

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are fighting an uphill battle after the NHL announces linesmen and referees for Friday’s Game 6 against the Florida Panthers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to play their biggest game of the post-season as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Florida Panthers. It’s a must-win for the Leafs, because if they lose, their playoff run comes to an end.

Officiating the high-stakes matchup will be veteran referees Jean Hebert and Garrett Rank, with linesmen James Tobias and Jonny Murray rounding out the crew.

This same quartet recently officiated Game 4 of the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals series, where the Hurricanes clinched the series in five games.

Both Hebert and Rank have a notable trend: they tend to favour the home team. When these two have officiated, the home team has won over 60% of the time — an unfortunate stat for the Leafs, who will be on the road in Florida.

Hebert previously officiated Game 4 of the first-round series between the Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, where Ottawa edged out a 4-3 win. Rank officiated Game 1 of that same series, which the Leafs won 6-2.

As Toronto stares down elimination, the pressure is mounting, not just from the Panthers, but also from their own fan base. Speculation continues to swirl around Mitch Marner‘s future with the team, as the star forward has faced heavy criticism for his recent performances and apparent lack of engagement, so this may in fact be his last game in the blue and white.

With the odds stacked against them and with their season on the line, the Maple Leafs will need to deliver their most disciplined, focused game yet. Their backs are against the wall, but if they rise to the occasion, they could force a Game 7 and keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

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Florida Panthers Heavily Favoured to Eliminate Maple Leafs After NHL Announces Game 6 Referees

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