The Florida Panthers steamrolled the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to take a commanding 3-2 series lead. Despite the 6-1 final score, neither Matthew Tkachuk nor Brad Marchand found the back of the net — a testament to the Cats’ depth, as they just accomplished a milestone no NHL team had reached in over three decades.
The Panthers are one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Final in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight NHL season. The same franchise that had gone over twenty years without a playoff series win, is now in the brink of yet another decisive stage.
Florida evolved, it now boasts a star-studded lineup and is the team to beat in the NHL. However, there’s much more to these Cats than the big names like Tkachuk, Marchand, Barkov, and Reinhart, to mention some. The Panthers have game-changers in every line, and that’s not to be taken lightly.
The Panthers’ depth was on full display during their ragdolling 6-1 triumph over the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Not a single goal came from Tkachuk, Marchand, Barkov, Reinhart, or Verhaeghe — yet Florida still accomplished a postseason milestone the NHL hadn’t seen in over 30 years because of it.
Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers warms up prior to a game against the Montreal Canadiens at Amerant Bank Arena on March 30, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
The Florida Panthers have now registered goals from 17 different skaters through ten games in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Florida is the first team to reach this milestone since 1993, when the Los Angeles Kings accomplished it.
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Anybody can score
The Panthers are so dangerous on the ice due to several reasons, including their aggressiveness and relentless forechecking playstyle, along with creative plays even in tight spaces. However, their ability to produce regardless of which line is on the ice, makes them virtually unbeatable when they are rolling in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“Playoff goals, especially, but any time, a goal is what makes you feel good,” Paul Maurice said about the team’s depth, per NHL.com. “They’re all carrying into a game a belief, a reasonable belief that they can score because they have.
Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup following a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.
“They feel good about where they’re at. To have a number of guys coming to the rink feeling good about their games is really important.”
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Lights out
The Panthers were missing Evan Rodrigues on the first line in Game 5, due to the brutal hit delivered by former Cats blueliner, Oliver Ekman-Larsson. However, Jesper Boqvist jumped into the role, and put on a dominant performance, making fans forget they were missing a crucial player like E-Rod against the Leafs.
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Regardless, Game 5 is already in the rear-view mirror. Now, the Panthers must take care of business at Amerant Bank Arena, aiming to close out the series and avoid a nerve-wracking Game 7 back in Toronto.
