The Florida Panthers are walking into Scotiabank Arena to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a do-or-die scenario in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ahead of Game 7 between the Atlantic Division teams, here’s what at stake for the Cats as they brace for a grueling matchup in Toronto, with their season on the line.
The Panthers squandered an almost perfect opportunity to close out the second round series against the Maple Leafs in Game 6 back on home-ice. Toronto shut out Florida’s prolific offense en route to a 2-0 victory, which set the table for the upcoming win-or-go-home duel in The Six.
Toronto seems destined for Game 7s, but lately, its luck has run dry in these do-or-die matchups, going 0-6 since 2004. Looking to change the tide, the Maple Leafs will come out firing against a Panthers team that also has everything on the line.
What happens if the Panthers win in Game 7 vs the Leafs?
If Florida prevails over Toronto in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round, it will advance to the Eastern Conference Final. It would be the Panthers’ third straight appearance in that stage, as they have been to the Stanley Cup Final in their last two seasons.
Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period of Game One of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amalie Arena on April 22, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
The Panthers would set up a rematch with the Carolina Hurricanes, who they swept during the 2022-23 Eastern Conference Final. It would be the second postseason meeting between the two franchises.
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Matthew Tkachuk’s blunt take after Panthers fail to seal series in Game 6 vs Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs
What happens if Florida ties against Toronto?
If the Panthers and the Maple Leafs are still at a stalemate at the end of regulation, the game will be decided in a sudden-death overtime. Whichever side scores first will go on to win the game and advance to the 2024-25 Eastern Conference Final, where the Hurricanes patiently await for their rival.
Contrary to the NHL regular season, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are decided in 5-on-5 extra periods of 20 minutes with no shootout. Therefore, the game will extend as long as necessary until a team scores and a winner is crowned on the ice.
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during the second period in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
What happens if the Panthers lose vs the Maple Leafs?
If the Panthers lose during Game 7 against the Maple Leafs, they will be eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and their NHL season will come to an end. Florida would fail to reach their third consecutive Eastern Conference Final and their dream of back-to-back championships would end in heartbreaking fashion.
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Toronto, on the other hand, would advance to its first Conference Final since 2002 and continue chasing its everlasting dream of hoisting the city’s first Stanley Cup since 1967—a date that has haunted the organization for decades, and one that this team will hope to put to rest.
