The defending champion Florida Panthers will try to take the next step toward a repeat Friday night in Game 6 of their second-round series while the Toronto Maple Leafs will try to avoid a major collapse.
A victory would move the Panthers into the Eastern Conference final for the third year in a row, where they would face the Carolina Hurricanes in a rematch of the 2023 series won by Florida.
A loss would mean another disappointing postseason for the Maple Leafs. Even though they reached the second round for the second time since 2004, they had won the first two games of this series. The Panthers won the next three, including a blowout 6-1 win in Game 5 in Toronto.
“There’s confidence in this group,” Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews told reporters after Game 5. “We’ve been able to push back and been able to bounce back all year. It’s no different than now. Just look in the mirror and all of us be better.”
USA TODAY is providing live updates for Game 6 between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Follow along:
Brandon Carlo is called for hooking. Panthers 0-for-3 so far. Now 0-for-4 after Toronto prevents them from setting up in the zone. No shots in the last three power plays.
Matthews gets his first goal of the series after taking a pass from Mitch Marner skating into the zone and taking a shot that eludes Sergei Bobrovsky at 6:20. Maple Leafs 1, Panthers 0
Still scoreless.
The Panthers flipped the script in that period, controlling play and outshooting Toronto 9-0 at one point. Toronto gets a few late power plays and shots finish up 12-6 for the period. Florida is outhitting Toronto 34-24 while the Maple Leafs lead in blocked shots 18-7.
Aaron Ekblad is called for interference. Florida kills the penalty.
He high-sticks Aaron Ekblad. Going to 4-on-4. Now Florida on the power play. Carter Verhaeghe hits the post. Toronto kills it off.
Florida called for too many men on the ice. Auston Matthews out there. Toronto gets its first shot of the period.
He gets hit in the face with a stick on a faceoff.
Shots 9-0 Florida in this period.
They’re spending more time in the Toronto zone and have outshot the Maple Leafs 5-0 so far in the period.
Matthew Knies is on the ice after his first-period collision.
The Panthers don’t generate much offense, only two shots despite having two power plays. Toronto has seven shots, led by two from Pontus Holmberg, who’s back in the lineup. He also had a big hit on Brad Marchand. Hits are 16 apiece. Toronto’s Matthew Knies had a good chance but shot wide. But he looks to be in pain after a collision with Niko Mikkola.
Since killing the second penalty, the Maple Leafs have been carrying play. Sergei Bobrovsky has been busy. Shots are 7-2 Toronto.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson trips Carter Verhaeghe. Penalty killed. No shots for Florida. Toronto gets some chances after killing the penalty.
The Toronto forward dives to knock away a rebound before Sam Reinhart can get to it.
Simon Benoit is called for interference against A.J. Greer. Panthers power play is clicking at 23.5% in the playoffs. Florida gets a shot, but Toronto kills it off.
Auston Matthews line vs. Eetu Luostarinen line
Game 6 of the Panthers-Maple Leafs series will be at 8 p.m. ET in Sunrise, Florida.
Joseph Woll will be back in Toronto’s net Friday after being pulled after Florida’s fifth goal on Wednesday.
“He’s been a good goalie for us all year,” Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said. “So I’m not worried about him.”
Woll has been in net since No. 1 goalie Anthony Stolarz was injured in Game 1 of the series.
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said Friday morning he would keep forwards Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews together for Game 6.
“I split them up at times this year and I felt like it didn’t really do anything, to be honest with you,” he told reporters. “These guys have been a combo for a long time and they’ve had a lot of success. I trust them. I believe in them.”
Forwards David Kampf and Nick Robertson are expected to sit out after playing in Game 5. Pontus Holmberg and Calle Jarnkrok will go back in the lineup. Robertson scored the Maple Leafs’ lone goal in Game 5. Kampf was a minus-2.
The Panthers lineup will remain the same as it was for Game 5, coach Paul Maurice said.
Injured Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues skated Friday but remains day-to-day.
“He had a pretty good push,” Maurice said. “We’re monitor him tomorrow and see where he’s at.”
