Stanley Cup playoffs live updates: Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs, Game 2
Will the Florida Panthers rebound from a sloppy, uncharacteristic start from their series opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs to even the best-of-7 series?
Or will they sink into an 0-2 hole before playing their first game of the series on home ice?
A lot is at stake on Wednesday night at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the game broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Follow along throughout the game for live updates, news, analysis and commentary.
Panthers in an 0-2 hole in the series
Despite a valiant effort once again in the third — putting up 37 shot attempts and 15 scoring chances (including 10 high-danger chances) — the Panthers fell 4-3 to the Maple Leafs and are now 0-2 in the best-of-7 series.
Tie game ... until it wasn’t
Florida’s third line comes to the rescue again.
Anton Lundell tied the game at 3-3 with 14:27 left to play. But 17 seconds later, Mitch Marner scored to give Toronto the lead again at 4-3.
Just ... yikes.
Line shakeup for the third
Mackie Samoskevich moved up to the second line with Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk to begin the third period.
Evan Rodrigues as a result has dropped to the fourth line with Nico Sturm and Jesper Boqvist.
Toronto takes the lead
The Maple Leafs have their first lead of the game, 3-2, with 2:51 left in the second period. Max Domi scored off the rush.
Rodrigues to the room
Evan Rodrigues went to the room after being hit on the glass by Scott Laughton. Nate Schmidt goes after Laughton. Schmidt and Laughton in the box for roughing (Laughton got 4 minutes). Rodrigues called for embellishment — on a play in which the player who roughed him got a double-minor.
Rodrigues returned to the bench a few minutes later.
Nylander ties it
2-2. The Maple Leafs capitalize on an odd-man rush, with William Nylander beating Sergei Bobrovsky.
15:42 left in the second.
Marchand strikes
The Panthers scored 15 seconds into the second period, with Brad Marchand beating Joseph Woll top shelf on the first shift of the frame.
It’s 2-1 Florida.
I’ve said it multiple times, but that line of Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell and Brad Marchand has been fantastic. They produce again.
First period thoughts
The game is tied after 20 minutes and while Florida probably would have liked to have gone into intermission with a lead, the Panthers have to be pleased with their first period compared to Game 1.
The defense was tighter. They had more jump to their game. It was more competitive all around.
Now... just stay out of the penalty box.
Leafs tie it
It took until their third power play opportunity, but the Toronto Maple Leafs finally got past Florida’s penalty kill.
Max Pacioretty scored with 1:41 left in the first period to tie the game at 1-1.
Florida had killed each of its first seven penalties in the series.
Florida winning special teams — and has an early lead
The Panthers are 2 for 2 on the penalty kill and then opened scoring five seconds into their first power play opportunity on a strike from captain Aleksander Barkov.
It’s 1-0 Florida with 9:02 left in the first period.
Panthers with an early penalty kill
Florida’s penalty kill continues to be a strong point for the team this postseason.
The Panthers killed an early Dmitry Kulikov interference penalty with ease, as Sergei Bobrovsky made two saves in the opening minute and then Florida dominated possession afterward and even got a couple shorthanded shots on net against Joseph Woll.
Pregame lines and pairings
The Panthers’ pregame line rushes went as follows...
Forward lines
Carter Verhaeghe-Aleksander Barkov-Sam Reinhart
Evan Rodrigues-Sam Bennett-Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen-Anton Lundell-Brad Marchand
Mackie Samoskevich-Nico Sturm-Jesper Boqvist
Defense pairs
Gustav Forsling-Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola-Seth Jones
Nate Schmidt-Dmitry Kulikov
Goaltenders
Sergei Bobrovsky
Vitek Vanecek
Series schedule
▪ Game 1 — Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4: The Panthers nearly rallied from a three-goal deficit, getting to within one goal twice in the third, but ultimately couldn’t overcome their slow start in a series-opening loss. William Nylander scored twice for Toronto.
▪ Game 2: Tonight
▪ Game 3: Friday, 7 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena
▪ Game 4: Sunday, May 11, 7:30 p.m., TBS, truTV, Max, Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena
▪ Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 14, TBD time, ESPN, Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena
▪ Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 16, TBD time, TNT, truTV, Max, Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena
▪ Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 18, TBD time, TNT, Max, Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena
Pregame reading
Need to catch up ahead of Game 1? Here are the highlights of the Miami Herald’s coverage over the past few days.
▪ As they try to shake off Game 1 loss, can the Panthers build on a strong third period?
▪ Panthers’ Sam Bennett responds to Anthony Stolarz injury: ‘No forceful action’
▪ Ekblad talks suspension, Hagel hit. And Panthers lineup changes ahead of Game 2 vs. Toronto
▪ From columnist Greg Cote: Florida Panthers’ slow start lost Game 1 in Toronto, but don’t dare doubt champion Cats
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
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