Panthers fall to Maple Leafs 5-4 in Game 1 of Playoffs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken a 2-0 lead over the Florida Panthers in their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series, winning both games at Scotiabank Arena. In Game 1, Toronto jumped out to an early lead with William Nylander scoring twice in the first period, and despite a late surge from Florida, the Panthers fell short in a 5-4 loss. Game 2 saw a back-and-forth contest, with Florida repeatedly tying the score, but Toronto answered each time and secured a 4-3 victory. Toronto’s opportunistic offense and timely goals, including crucial performances by Nylander and Max Pacioretty, have stymied Florida’s attempts at momentum. The Panthers now face a significant historical disadvantage, as NHL teams down 0-2 in a best-of-seven series have rarely advanced. Florida must regroup quickly to avoid an early playoff exit.