SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers are gearing up for a bruising showdown with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, a matchup confirmed on May 2 after both teams clawed their way through the first round. The Panthers, fresh off a dominant 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning to close out their series in five games, now face a Toronto squad that outlasted the Ottawa Senators in six. This isn’t just another playoff series—it’s a rematch of their 2023 second-round tilt, where Florida steamrolled Toronto in five games en route to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Panthers, who hoisted the Cup last season, have been a postseason juggernaut, winning five straight playoff series and eight of their last nine. They went 3-1-0 against the Maple Leafs during the regular season, outscoring them 13-7 with a suffocating defense and a knack for capitalizing on mistakes. Sam Reinhart led Florida’s charge in the first round, racking up six points with two goals and four assists. Meanwhile, Toronto’s John Tavares came out swinging against Ottawa, potting three goals, while Mitch Marner chipped in two goals and an assist for three points.
Florida’s goaltending edge could loom large. Anthony Stolarz, despite a 1-2-0 record and a 3.06 goals-against average in the regular season against Toronto, has been a steady hand in the playoffs. Toronto’s Joseph Woll, who allowed two goals on 36 shots in a 3-1 loss to Florida on April 8, will need to be sharper to keep pace. The Panthers’ depth and physicality have been their calling card, but Toronto’s speed and skill make this a matchup where every shift could tilt the ice.
The series schedule is still under wraps, with the NHL expected to release dates and times in the coming days. Game 1 will be in Florida, where the Panthers’ home crowd at Amerant Bank Arena is sure to be a sea of red and raucous energy. These two teams know each other well, and with the stakes this high, expect a battle that’s as much about grit as it is about goals.
Florida won the Stanley Cup in 2024. Toronto last won in 1967. The Panthers are 8-1 in their last nine playoff series. The Maple Leafs are seeking their first second-round series win since 2004.