The defending champion Florida Panthers, down 2-0 to the Toronto Maple Leafs, have some history to fall back on as they try to get back in the series.
They lost three in a row (Games 4-6) in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final but won Game 7 for their first championship. The year before, they rallied from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to upset the record-setting Boston Bruins.
Coach Paul Maurice sizes up the Panthers’ current situation this way: “We went on the road and we lost two one-goal games. Our game’s not perfect. Neither is theirs.”
Florida is at home for Friday’s Game 3 and can’t afford to fall behind 3-0.
USA TODAY is providing live coverage for Game 3 between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Follow along:
Goalie Joseph Woll was a near-giveaway early but recovers to stop Anton Lundell.
Toronto scores early and Florida controls like, just like the first period. The difference this time: Florida puts in three goals to take the lead. The Panthers led in shots, 9-4, and had another 20-plus hits in the period. The Maple Leafs led after two periods in the first two games of the series
Tomas Nosek, who scored the go-ahead goal, barrels into the net and is slow to get up. He starts heading to the dressing room but comes back to the bench.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice changed out his fourth line and the new one connects. Tomas Nosek takes a shot that deflects several times. He’s credited for now, his first goal of the playoffs. Fourth line looking good in this game. Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 3
Dmitry Kulikov holds Max Domi. Toronto already has a power-play goal in this game. Florida’s Brad Marchand gets the best chance. Penalty killed.
Carter Verhaeghe has a wide-open net after a great pass from Sam Bennett. Two Florida goals in 64 seconds and we’re tied. Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 3
Brandon Carlo uses a broken stick to stop the puck from crossing the line. Sam Reinhart scores but it’s not clear that’s in until a replay shows the puck over the line. Maple Leafs 3, Panthers 2
With the Maple Leafs on a power play, John Tavares tips a Mitch Marner point shot. It goes in off Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling. Maple Leafs 3, Panthers 1
2-1 Toronto.
Florida got off to a disastrous start by giving up a Mathew Knies goal 23 seconds in, the Maple Leafs’ quickest playoff goal in 62 years. Toronto added another goal off the rush (Florida was too aggressive on the forecheck) before the game was six minutes old. But the Panthers started controlling play after and got an Aleksander Barkov goal (knocked in by Morgan Rielly). Shots are 12-10 Toronto. Florida has a huge edge in hits, 24-10.
Max Domi called for roughing Carter Verhaeghe. But power play doesn’t last long. Verhaeghe is called for holding the stick. Before Florida can touch the puck, Mitch Marner is stopped on a short-handed breakaway. Florida kills off the abbreviate Toronto power play.
Brandon Carlo in the penalty box for his hit on Matthew Tkachuk. Panthers get some looks, Sam Reinhart hits the post and Toronto kills it off.
Aleksander Barkov throws a hit, takes a Sam Reinhart pass and drives the net. Morgan Rielly accidentally puts it into his own net. Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 1
Maple Leafs get a 3-on-2 break. John Tavares gets the puck and scores on a wraparound at 5:57. Sergei Bobrovsky can’t get back in time. Max Pacioretty and William Nylander continue their strong play by picking up the assists. Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0
Matthew Knies scores 23 seconds into the game. Not the start Florida wants. Knies knocks in a rebound after Mitch Marner’s shot hits the crossbar. Maple Leafs 1, Panthers 0
Auston Matthews line vs. Aleksander Barkov line.
Game 3 between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs will start at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, May 9, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
According to the Panthers roster report, Tomas Nosek, A.J. Greer, Jonah Gadjovich are dressing for this game, replacing fourth-liners Mackie Samoskevich, Nico Sturm and Jesper Boqvist. Evan Rodrigues moves to the top line and Carter Verghaeghe goes to the second line.
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky uncharacteristically has given up nine goals on 50 shots in the series.
“Our confidence (in Bobrovsky) is never wavering,” forward Sam Reinhart said. “We feel we’ve got the best goalie in the world back there. Our job is to make it as easy as possible for him. I think we can do a better job of that.”
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