TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs showcased their playoff mettle on Wednesday night, edging out the Florida Panthers 4-3 to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their second-round playoff series. The thrilling encounter at Scotiabank Arena was punctuated by key performances from both teams, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the series.
Mitch Marner emerged as the hero for the Leafs, scoring the game-winning goal in the third period, while goaltender Joseph Woll stepped up with 25 saves, filling in for the injured Anthony Stolarz. The victory marked a significant moment for the Leafs, who are looking to shake off past playoff disappointments and make a deep run this year.
The game began with Florida striking first, as Aleksander Barkov capitalized on a power play just five seconds into the Panthers' first man advantage at 10:58 of the first period. Barkov's shot from the left circle zipped past Woll, giving the defending Stanley Cup champions an early 1-0 lead.
However, the Leafs responded late in the first period. With just 1:41 remaining, Max Pacioretty, who was a healthy scratch at the start of the playoffs, tipped a shot from Morgan Rielly into the top corner, leveling the score at 1-1. Pacioretty's resurgence has been crucial for Toronto, as he has quickly become a key contributor after his return to the lineup.
The second period saw the action ramp up considerably. Just 15 seconds into the period, Brad Marchand put the Panthers back in front with a slick backhand shot over Woll's glove, making it 2-1. Yet, the Leafs would not be deterred. At 4:18, William Nylander tied the game again, converting a pass from Pacioretty after a turnover in the neutral zone.
Max Domi then gave the Leafs their first lead of the night at 17:09 of the second period, finishing off a 2-on-1 rush with a precise shot that beat Sergei Bobrovsky. The Leafs took a 3-2 lead into the final frame, but the Panthers were not done yet.
Florida equalized again at 5:33 of the third period when Anton Lundell scored his third goal of the playoffs, deftly redirecting a pass from Aaron Ekblad into the net. Just 17 seconds later, however, Marner responded with a brilliant shot from the boards that found its way through traffic and past Bobrovsky, restoring the Leafs' lead at 4-3.
Woll's performance was pivotal, particularly his spectacular save on Mackie Samoskevich with just under ten minutes left in regulation. As the Panthers pressed for another equalizer, defenseman Jake McCabe made a crucial play, swatting a loose puck out of the crease with under six minutes remaining. The Panthers continued to apply pressure, but a shot from Sam Reinhart hit the post with just over three minutes left, and the Leafs held on for the win.
With Game 3 set for Friday in South Florida, the stakes are high for both teams. The Panthers, who defeated the Leafs in five games at this stage of the playoffs two years ago, will be looking to bounce back and level the series. The pressure is on, and the atmosphere is sure to be electric.
In terms of individual performances, both Pacioretty and Domi made significant contributions with a goal and an assist each, while Nylander also found the back of the net. Rielly's two assists highlighted the Leafs' balanced scoring attack, which has been a hallmark of their playoff success so far.
On the other side, the Panthers saw contributions from Lundell, who had a goal and an assist, along with goals from Barkov and Marchand. Despite the loss, Florida's offense showed resilience, and they will aim to capitalize on their chances in the upcoming games.
As the series shifts to Florida, both teams will need to make adjustments. The Leafs will look to maintain their momentum, while the Panthers will need to find a way to overcome the early series deficit. With the playoffs in full swing, fans can expect more thrilling hockey as these two teams battle for a spot in the next round.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025.
