Second-round NHL playoff schedule announced for Maple Leafs-Panthers series, featuring time details for the initial four matches.
Let's Get Ready to Rumble: Maple Leafs and Panthers Go Head-to-Head in the Playoffs
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are set to square off in a thrilling second-round playoff series, starting Monday night. This time around, the victors of epic rivalries Battle of Ontario and Battle of Florida face off to determine who will advance further in the NHL postseason.
With the Leafs earning home-ice advantage by winning the Atlantic Division, Games 1 and 2 will take place at Scotiabank Arena. Kickoff times are set for 8 p.m. on Monday and 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Following the first two games, the series shifts to Florida for Games 3 and 4, scheduled for Friday and Sunday, with start times to be announced later.
The Panthers, reigning Stanley Cup champions, bested the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games in the first round. That same team also defeated the Leafs in five games during the 2023 playoffs' second round. One of the lasting images from that series was former Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas taunting Leafs goalie Joseph Woll following a game-clinching goal.
"It's going to be another hard series," Leafs captain Auston Matthews said after the team eliminated Ottawa in six games. "They're obviously the defending champs, back-to-back Cup finals. It's going to be hard. We have to reset, do our homework and rest up, do what we can, and go in there with confidence and go in there with some pushback."
During the regular season, the Panthers won three out of four games against the Leafs and outscored them 13-7. Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart both finished the season series with five points each. John Tavares led the Leafs, scoring three goals, and Mitch Marner had two goals and an assist.
The Leafs made some strategic roster moves by signing three players off the Panthers' 2023 championship-winning roster: goalie Anthony Stolarz, forward Steven Lorentz, and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
"It's going to be hard," Stolarz said. "At this stage of the season, every game, every series is going to be hard. We're down to the final bit of teams here. Everyone wants the same goal. Everyone wants the Stanley Cup, so teams are going to lay it on the line."
Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Second Round NHL Playoff Schedule
(Best-of-seven series)
Game 1 - Monday, May 5: Florida at Toronto, 8 p.m.
Game 2 - Wednesday, May 7: Florida at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Game 3 - Friday, May 9: Toronto at Florida, 7 p.m.
Game 4 - Sunday, May 11: Toronto at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Game 5 - Wednesday, May 14: TBD Florida at Toronto, TBD
Game 6 - Friday, May 16: Toronto at Florida, TBD
Game 7 - Sunday, May 18: Florida at Toronto, TBD
*If necessary.
Toronto and Florida have a rich playoff history, with the Panthers holding the upper hand in recent encounters. With the strategic additions to their roster and playoff experience on their side, the Leafs seek to turn the tables and make a deep postseason run. Let's see if they can pull off an upset and take down the defending champions!
- The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, two rivals with a storied playoff history, will face off in a thrilling second-round playoff series, starting Monday night, as they defend their respective territories in the NHL postseason.
- The 2023 second-round series marks a continuation of the epic rivalries, the Battle of Ontario and the Battle of Florida, with the victors set to advance further in the NHL playoffs.
- The Panthers, as the defending Stanley Cup champions, will be looking to repeat their success, while the Leafs, who have strategically added players from the 2023 championship-winning Panthers roster, aim to challenge the defending champions and make a deep postseason run.
- MCgransports and other sports media outlets will be following the second-round series closely, with the first two games taking place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on May 5 and May 7, respectively.
- As the series shifts to Florida for Games 3 and 4, the Leafs, who finished first in the Atlantic Division, will need to balance their home-ice advantage with the challenging road games ahead, as they prepare to face the 2023 defending NHL champions.
- With the stakes high and the excitement building, fans of hockey across North America and beyond will be eagerly anticipating the games, hoping to witness an incredible playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers.
