The Toronto Maple Leafs, who initially led their second-round series against the Florida Panthers 2-0, now find themselves trailing 3-2 heading into Game 6 on Friday.
Will this be the Maple Leafs` last game of the season, or can they force a deciding Game 7 on Sunday?
Matchup Notes
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers, Game 6
With the Panthers holding a 3-2 series lead, betting odds favor Florida (-800 to win the series) significantly over Toronto (+500). Florida`s odds to win the Stanley Cup are +300, while Toronto`s are +2500.
Historically, the Panthers have a strong record (5-1) when leading a seven-game series 3-2, with their only loss in this scenario coming in the 2012 playoffs. The Maple Leafs, conversely, have struggled when trailing 3-2, holding a historical record of 6-18.
Florida Panthers Insights
- In Game 5, a franchise-record 14 different Panthers players registered points.
- Florida has also set a new franchise record for goals scored in a single postseason with 17 different players finding the back of the net this year, surpassing the 1996 team.
- Sam Reinhart recorded his fourth multi-point game of these playoffs in Game 5, joining an elite group of six players to reach that mark.
- Notably, the Panthers have not trailed for over 170 minutes of game time since Game 3.
Toronto Maple Leafs Insights
- Forward Auston Matthews is experiencing a scoring slump, with zero goals in his last five games, matching the longest goalless streak of his playoff career.
- In net, goaltender Anthony Stolarz is expected to miss Game 6 due to injury, likely returning the starting role to Joseph Woll, who allowed five goals on 25 shots in the previous game.
Rupert Hartwell