The Florida Panthers, reigning Stanley Cup champions, commenced their second-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto with a 5-4 defeat on Monday evening. Despite a slow start, they nearly engineered a dramatic late comeback, reflecting a recent trend in these Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Toronto established what appeared to be a solid 4-1 advantage in the second period, thanks to two first-period goals by William Nylander and additional markers from Matthew Knies and Chris Tanev. A notable moment in the game occurred when Toronto`s goaltender, Anthony Stolars, exited the contest after being contacted in the head by an elbow from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. No penalty was assessed on the play, much to the frustration of Leafs coach Craig Berube.
“Elbow to the head,” stated Berube. “Clear as day… I understand they miss calls, but it was clearly a penalty.” Toronto indicated Stolars was undergoing evaluation, but no further details were released.
Trailing 4-1 heading into the third period, the Panthers mounted a push, outscoring the Maple Leafs 3-1 with goals from Eetu Luostarinen, Uvis Balinskis, and Sam Bennett. However, Florida was unable to find the tying goal.
Joseph Woll made 17 saves on 20 shots, just enough to secure a 1-0 series lead for the Maple Leafs.
“We didn`t look like ourselves,” commented Paul Maurice, the Panthers` coach, regarding his team`s initial performance. “And then [we] corrected it in the second and after that had a pretty good push in the third.” Game 2 is scheduled to be held in Toronto on Wednesday.
In the other Eastern Conference matchup, the Washington Capitals are set to face the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals advanced after a challenging series against the Montreal Canadiens. Washington goaltender Logan Thompson had an impressive start to the postseason, posting a 2.23 goals-against-average in the first round. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games and are aiming to reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in the last four seasons.
In the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets are pitted against the Dallas Stars. Both teams endured tough seven-game series in the first round. The Jets will be hoping for a stronger performance from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who had a 3.85 goals-against-average in Round 1. The Stars could potentially see the return of forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen from injury in the second round, which would be a significant boost after playing the first round without them.
Lastly, the Vegas Golden Knights overcame a 2-1 series deficit against the Minnesota Wild, winning three consecutive games to clinch the series. The Golden Knights showcased a balanced offensive effort throughout the series, with Jack Eichel contributing five points over the final three contests. The Edmonton Oilers rallied from a 2-0 series hole to defeat the Los Angeles Kings in six games in the first round. The dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have collectively registered 21 points for Edmonton so far.
- Round 2 Schedule and Results
- (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- (1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes
- (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars
- (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Round 1 Results
- (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
- (2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- (1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens
- (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
- (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues
- (2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche
- (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild
- (2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Round 2 Schedule and Results
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers
Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
Game 2: Wednesday, May 7 | 7 p.m. ET | at TOR | ESPN
Game 3: Friday, May 9 | 7 p.m. ET | at FLA | TNT/truTV/Max
Game 4: Sunday, May 11 | 7:30 p.m. ET | at FLA | TBS/truTV/Max
*Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 | TBD | at TOR | ESPN
*Game 6: Friday, May 16 | TBD | at FLA | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 7: Sunday, May 18 | TBD | at TOR | TNT/Max
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1: Tuesday, May 6 | 7 p.m. ET | at WSH | ESPN
Game 2: Thursday, May 8 | 7 p.m. ET | at WSH | ESPN
Game 3: Saturday, May 10 | 6 p.m. ET | at CAR | TNT/truTV/Max
Game 4: Monday, May 12 | 7 p.m. ET | at CAR | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 5: Thursday, May 15 | TBD | at WSH | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 6: Saturday, May 17 | TBD | at CAR | TBD
*Game 7: Monday, May 19 | TBD | at WSH | ESPN
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars
Game 1: Wednesday, May 7 | 9:30 p.m. ET | at WPG | ESPN
Game 2: Friday, May 9 | 9:30 p.m. ET | at WPG | TNT/truTV/Max
Game 3: Saturday, May 11 | 4:30 p.m. ET | at DAL | TBS/truTV/Max
Game 4: Tuesday, May 13 | 8 p.m. ET | at DAL | ESPN
*Game 5: Thursday, May 15 | TBD | at Jets | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 6: Saturday, May 17 | TBD | at DAL | TBD
*Game 7: Monday, May 19 | TBD | at WPG | ESPN
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Tuesday, May 6 | 9:30 p.m. ET | at VGK | ESPN
Game 2: Thursday, May 8 | 9:30 p.m. ET | at VGK | ESPN
Game 3: Saturday, May 10 | 9 p.m. ET | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
Game 4: Monday, May 12 | 9:30 p.m. ET | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 | TBD | at VGK | ESPN
*Game 6: Friday, May 16 | TBD | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 7: Sunday, May 18 | TBD | at VGK | TNT/Max
Round 1 Results
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0
Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers
Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens
Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3
Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2
Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1
(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2
Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT)
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues
Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3
Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1
Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2
Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1
Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3
Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2
Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche
Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1
Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0
Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2
Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4
Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild
Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT)
Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT)
Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2
(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5
Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2
Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4
Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)
Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1
Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4
