The Toronto Maple Leafs closed out their first-round series with a decisive 4–2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night, advancing to the second round for the second time in three seasons. The performance reflected the maturity of a team that has evolved under head coach Craig Berube, leaning on the leadership of Auston Matthews and a deep supporting cast.
Maple Leafs showed poise and offensive firepower, with standout performances from William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares, who each played key roles in the series. But the challenge ahead will be even tougher.
The Maple Leafs, who finished as the top seed in the Atlantic Division, will have home-ice advantage for the best-of-seven series. This marks a high-stakes rematch of their 2023 second-round encounter, which Florida won in five games. With both rosters stacked with star power, the series promises a physical, fast-paced battle.
Who will the Maple Leafs face next?
Toronto will go up against the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Second Round. The Panthers eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning with a Game 5 victory on Wednesday and bring significant postseason pedigree, having reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the last two seasons.
What are the expectations for this series?
The matchup is already generating buzz as one of the marquee battles of the second round. Florida dominated the season series against Toronto, winning three out of four games and outscoring them 13–7. The Panthers come in with a deep lineup and hot goaltending, led by Sergei Bobrovsky, while Toronto counters with high-end offensive weapons and a goaltender, Anthony Stolarz, who delivered under pressure in Round 1.
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“They’re the defending champs, back-to-back Finals appearances. It’s going to be tough,” said Matthews. “We’ve got to reset, do our homework, rest up, and go in there with confidence and push back.”
When do the Maple Leafs play again?
Game 1 between the Maple Leafs and the Panthers is set for Monday, May 5 at Scotiabank Arena. But the opening salvo may have already been launched—this time, through the microphone of one of Toronto’s loudest voices.
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