Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 2 Kicks Off with Panthers vs. Maple Leafs
As the dust settles on the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, hockey fans barely have time to catch their breath before diving into the excitement of the second round. The action resumes Monday night, and the first matchup on the docket is a thrilling Atlantic Division showdown between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, and it’s a game you won’t want to miss.
For those eager to dive deeper into the matchup, ESPN has you covered with a game preview filled with statistical insights, a recap of Sunday’s thrilling game, and the three stars of the first round as selected by Arda Öcal.
Matchup Notes: Panthers vs. Maple Leafs
The Florida Panthers are heading into this series as the favorites, with ESPN BET setting the odds at -175 for the Panthers and +150 for the Maple Leafs. This is a rematch of sorts, as these two teams last met in the postseason during the second round of the 2023 playoffs. Back then, the Panthers eliminated the Maple Leafs in five games, with Nick Cousins scoring the decisive overtime goal in Game 5.
During the regular season, the Panthers dominated the series against the Maple Leafs, winning three out of four games with an aggregate score of 13-7. A key factor in their success was their power play, which converted five of 11 chances (45.5%), while the Leafs managed to convert only one of nine opportunities (11.1%).
Interestingly, this series features a unique historical twist. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Steven Lorentz, and Anthony Stolarz, who won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024, are now facing their former team. The only other time in NHL history that three players dressed against a team with which they won a Cup during the previous season was in 1989 when Wayne Gretzky, Mike Krushelnyski, and Marty McSorley of the Los Angeles Kings faced the Edmonton Oilers.
The Panthers have been on a remarkable playoff run since 2021, winning more playoff games (39) than they did in their first 26 seasons combined (19). Their 39 wins and 66 games played in the postseason since 2021 lead the NHL. Florida’s postseason goal-scoring leaderboard is dominated by current players, with Carter Verhaeghe (28), Sam Reinhart (23), Aleksander Barkov (20), and Matthew Tkachuk (20) leading the charge.
On the other side, the Toronto Maple Leafs are making their ninth straight postseason appearance, the longest active streak in the NHL and tied for the second longest in franchise history. The last time they had a nine-year streak, it ended in 1967 with a Stanley Cup win. Toronto captain Auston Matthews is tied with Darryl Sittler for seventh in franchise history in playoff goals, with 25. His next goal will push him into a tie for fifth with Steve Thomas and George Armstrong. Wendel Clark holds the top spot with 34 goals.
Arda’s Three Stars from Round 1
- Mikko Rantanen – RW, Dallas Stars: Rantanen was a standout performer in the first round, racking up 12 points to help the Stars eliminate his former team, the Avalanche. He made history with the first Game 7 third-period hat trick, now known as “The Rantanen Game.”
- Connor McDavid – C, Edmonton Oilers: McDavid was instrumental in the Oilers’ series against the Kings, finishing with 11 points. His leadership and skill were crucial as the Oilers sent the Kings home in the first round for the fourth straight season.
- Logan Thompson – G, Washington Capitals: Thompson was a rock in net for the Capitals, allowing two goals or fewer in four of their five games against the Canadiens, earning a .922 save percentage.
Sunday’s Score: Jets vs. Blues
The Winnipeg Jets pulled off a dramatic victory over the St. Louis Blues, winning 4-3 in double overtime. The Blues jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Jordan Kyrou and Mathieu Joseph. However, the Jets fought back, with Cole Perfetti scoring in the second period. Radek Faksa extended the Blues’ lead to 3-1 late in the second period.
In a thrilling finish, the Jets rallied in the final two minutes of regulation. Vladislav Namestnikov scored at 18:04, and Perfetti deflected in the game-tying goal with just three seconds remaining. The game went into double overtime, where Adam Lowry tipped Neal Pionk’s shot past Jordan Binnington for the series-clinching goal. The Jets will now face the Dallas Stars in Round 2. For a full recap of the game, check out ESPN’s coverage.
Originally Written by: ESPN staff
