The Florida Panthers are set to face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, marking a highly anticipated rematch following their previous postseason encounter. The Panthers, who advanced by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, will look to build on their recent success as they take on the Atlantic Division champions, the Maple Leafs.
On Thursday night, May 1, 2025, the Maple Leafs clinched their spot in the semifinals by overcoming the Ottawa Senators with a decisive 4-2 victory in Game 6 of their first-round series. This victory not only propelled Toronto into the next round but also set the stage for a thrilling series against Florida, a team they have faced before in the playoffs.
The last time these two teams met in the postseason was during the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals, where the Panthers upset the Leafs in five games, ultimately advancing to the Stanley Cup Final. That series was marked by intense rivalry and memorable moments, including Radko Gudas's fiery confrontation with Toronto's goalie Joseph Woll. However, Gudas is now with the Anaheim Ducks, while the Maple Leafs have made significant roster changes, including the addition of goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who has stepped up to become the team's starter.
This season, the Panthers have had the upper hand in their regular-season matchups against the Leafs, winning three out of four games. They dominated in their first encounter on November 27, 2024, with a commanding 5-1 victory in Florida. The Panthers followed that up with a 3-1 win on April 8, 2025, while the Leafs managed to claim a narrow 3-2 victory in their second meeting on April 2. The overall record now stands at 51 wins for Toronto, 40 for Florida, with seven ties across their all-time regular-season series.
The upcoming series will feature some of the NHL's most exciting talents. For the Panthers, players like Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Brad Marchand have been instrumental in their playoff success. This trio combined for an impressive 14 points in their first-round series against Tampa Bay, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive skills. Additionally, defenseman Seth Jones, who joined the Panthers at the trade deadline, has emerged as a key player, leading the team in average ice time and even scoring the game-winning goal in the decisive Game 4 against the Lightning.
On the other side, the Maple Leafs boast a formidable lineup, including captain Auston Matthews, who finished the regular season with 78 points, and William Nylander, who recorded an impressive 84 points during the regular season and led the team with nine points in the series against Ottawa. Another player to watch is Anthony Stolarz, who has been a revelation in net for Toronto, posting a .926 save percentage, the highest among NHL goalies with at least 30 starts this season.
As the higher seed, the Maple Leafs will enjoy home-ice advantage during the series, hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 if necessary. The Panthers will host Games 3, 4, and 6, should the series extend that far. The exact schedule for the series has yet to be announced, but fans are eagerly awaiting the matchup, which promises to be filled with excitement and intensity.
With both teams coming off strong performances in the first round, this series is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. The Panthers are looking to prove that their previous success against the Leafs was not a fluke, while Toronto aims to avenge their 2023 playoff exit. As the anticipation builds, fans on both sides are gearing up for what could be a historic showdown in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The winner of this series will advance to face the victor of the other semifinal matchup between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes, adding another layer of intrigue to this already exciting playoff season.
As the puck drops for Game 1, both teams will be ready to battle it out on the ice, with everything on the line. Will the Panthers continue their playoff run, or will the Maple Leafs finally break through and make a deep postseason push? Only time will tell as these two storied franchises clash once again in the quest for the Stanley Cup.
