Defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, who knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, visit the º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøMaple Leafs, who eliminated the Ontario rival Ottawa Senators in six games. Follow the Star’s live updates Monday.
Leafs, Panthers open Round 2 of NHL playoffs tonight in Toronto
The Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena in the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. The rematch has been set.
Gavin Napier/Getty Images file photoThe Maple Leafs, with new bench boss Craig Berube, finished first in the Atlantic Division this season, 10 points ahead of the third-place Panthers. They are in the post-season’s second round for the second time in three years.
The Panthers, who added Boston Bruins’ pest Brad Marchand to the roster at the trade deadline to help Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett get under their rivals’ skin, have been to the Stanley Cup final two straight years — losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and beating the Edmonton Oilers last year.
The Panthers, who draw confidence from physically imposing their will on opponents, will find eager challengers in Toronto’s Chris Tanev, Bobby McMann and Max Pacioretty, to name a few.
Maple Leafs-Panthers playoff schedule released for entire second-round series
Edmonton Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard (30) and Connor Brown (28) celebrate the win over the Los Angeles Kings during NHL playoff action in Edmonton on Thursday, May 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
JFThe Maple Leafs will start their second-round NHL playoff series against the Florida Panthers on Monday night, as the victors of the Battle of Ontario face the victors of the Battle of Florida.
Given the Leafs earned home-ice advantage by winning the Atlantic Division, the first two games will be played at Scotiabank Arena. Game 1 will start at 8 p.m., while Game 2 goes Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The series then shifts to Florida for Games 3 and 4 — Friday and Sunday, respectively — with start times still to be determined.
Maple Leafs set to face Panthers in second round
Craig Berube didn’t utter a word.
The Maple Leafs had just surrendered a lead late in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators.
Toronto’s bench, however, remained calm. And 101 seconds later, the visitors restored their advantage before securing the Battle of Ontario to move on in the Stanley Cup tournament.
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