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Updated 22m ago
The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken a 2-0 series lead over the Florida Panthers with a 4-3 win in Game 2.
A back-and-forth contest saw the Panthers take early leads of 1-0 and 2-1, but goals from William Nylander and Max Domi in the second period gave the Leafs their first lead of the night. Anton Lundell tied the game for Florida early in the third period, but Mitch Marner scored the eventual game winner just 17 seconds later.
Leafs backup goaltender Joseph Woll made 25 saves, none more important than an incredible stop with his skate on Mackie Samoskevich to preserve the 4-3 lead.
The series now shifts to Florida for Game 3 on Friday.
GO FURTHER
Maple Leafs defeat Panthers in Game 2, take 2-0 series lead: Takeaways
Mitch Marner says he's started writing "M" on his stick tape to remind him of his newborn son, Miles, and give him something to focus on while steadying himself between shifts.
"I'm trying to play for him."
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Paul Maurice said he didn’t get an explanation from the referees on that surprising Rodrigues embellishment call.
Auston Matthews and Aleksander Barkov faced off for 12:13 of ice time at 5-on-5 tonight:
Credit to the Panthers for mostly containing them, but that one goal – Mitch Marner's – was the difference
Brad Marchand says this is a very different Maple Leafs team than the ones he faced in past years: "They came ready to play this round. We see that."
Our discussion page for this game is full of fans of other teams confessing that they're rooting for the Maple Leafs! Who would've ever thought?!
Stephen P.: Man what a game. Bruins fan here, I know I should be rooting for Florida because of the conditions of the Marchand trade and I should be rooting against Toronto because, you know, the Leafs… but I just got so bummed when Florida scored and so happy when Toronto scored. The heart wants what the heart wants.
Michel F.: Canadiens fan here. Great job, Leafs! I can’t believe I am writing this, but I despise the Panthers so effin’ much!!
Thomas P.: Bruins fan here, who hates the Leafs. But I've also been celebrating when the Leafs score, that's how much I detest the Panthers. Cheering for Carlo helps ease the pain.
David H.: Pens fan here, rooting hard for Toronto, even though you fans need to get over your Dubas obsession. 😉
Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 4
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With his go-ahead goal in the third period, Mitch Marner now has 60 career playoff points. That ties him with George Armstrong, Frank Mahovlich and Ted Kennedy for the sixth most in franchise history.
As for the Panthers, this is the first time they're trailing a series by two games since being defeated 4-1 by the Golden Knights in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
They never trailed by more than one game en route to winning the Stanley Cup last postseason.
As Chris mentioned, this is the first time that the Maple Leafs have taken a 2-0 lead in multiple series in a single postseason since 1963. It's also the first time that Toronto has won the first two games of a series later than the opening round since 1987.
Historically, teams that win the first two games of best-of-seven series have an all-time series record of 358-57 (86.3 percent).
The Maple Leafs threw 41 hits and blocked 26 shots in their Game 2 win.
This is the first time since 1963 that the Leafs have taken 2-0 leads in two different playoff series during a single postseason.
You may have heard something about their lack of playoff proficiency in the last 50-plus years.
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The Panthers had one final chance, with Jones looking for a tip in front of net, but they couldn't make it happen. The Maple Leafs hang on for the 4-3 win, taking a 2-0 series lead!
P3 0:33 – Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
For the second game in a row, Matthews goes for the empty net goal but can't hit the target. Instead, it's icing, prompting the Panthers to take their timeout.
Last chance for Florida to avoid a 2-0 series deficit.
P3 1:25 – Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
The Panthers are creating a few half-chances but none have been dangerous enough to threaten the Leafs' lead.
P3 2:55 – Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
Bobrovsky heads to the bench! Here we go!
P3 3:10 – Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
The Panthers haven't pulled Bobrovsky yet, and yet it feels like they have an extra attacker on the ice as they sustain more than 45 seconds of pressure in the Leafs zone. The best chance comes to Verhaeghe, wide open in the slot, but he can't convert.
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P3 5:22 – Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
The puck is loose in front of the Leafs net with Woll sprawled out on the side after a Rodrigues shot, but McCabe is there to save the day and swipe the puck clear with his glove.
The Panthers are really turning up the heat here as they search for an equalizer in the closing minutes.
P3 8:30 – Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
Bobrovsky answers Woll with a fantastic save of his own, kicking out his leg just in time to block a shot that took a big redirection in front of net.
P3 9:59 – Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
Samoskevich has an open net but Woll gets over just in time to block his shot with his skate! An incredible save by the backup goalie!
