The Maple Leafs practised at the Ford Performance Centre on Tuesday.

---

The Leafs are stressing discipline ahead of Wednesday's showdown with the Florida Panthers.

"They're going to do their thing that they do," said coach Craig Berube. "They're going to try and disrupt you and try to draw you into a penalty. You can't react to it. You got to initiate and stand your ground, but you got to be careful with taking the extra shot or swing. It's hard but, at the same time, that's what they want and can't get drawn into that."

A retaliation penalty by defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson led to a Panthers power-play goal in a 3-2 win by the visitors in Toronto on March 13, which was the last meeting between the teams.

The task of keeping a cool head will be even more difficult on Wednesday with winger Brad Marchand now in Florida's lineup. The expert agitator is currently slotting in on Florida's second line beside fellow super pest Sam Bennett.

"It's a lot of physicality, a lot of little plays after the whistle," said winger Matthew Knies of the challenge. "They're going to try and get in your head, but I think we have a good group and we're not going to allow that."

Bennett has scored in four straight games against the Leafs. Marchand has two goals and three assists in four games against Toronto this season.

The stakes are high heading into Wednesday's showdown as the Leafs and Panthers are fighting for first place in the Atlantic Division.

"It's huge," said defenceman Brandon Carlo. "It's a great test. For me, I'm looking forward to it as a challenge. They're obviously a good team and somebody that we could see here in the near future [in the playoffs]. So just kind of basing it off of that and just going out, playing a good game, and proving to ourselves that we're right in there."

The Leafs have lost both games against the Panthers this season in regulation. The teams will wrap up their season series next Tuesday down in Florida.

"Obviously you see how tight the standings are and, with our rivalry, it's pretty important," Knies said. "I think it's going to be playoff game tomorrow."

The Leafs lead the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning by three points in the race for top spot in the........

© TSN