Following the conclusion of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs on Sunday night, hockey enthusiasts won`t have to wait long, as the second round is set to commence on Monday.
The opening series of the second round will feature the last two remaining teams from the Atlantic Division, with the Florida Panthers facing off against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Game 1 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Below, you will find a preview of the game, key statistical insights, a summary of Sunday`s playoff action, and a look at the top three performers from the first round as selected by Arda Öcal.
Matchup Notes
Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1 | 8 p.m. ET
Betting odds currently favor the Panthers in the series at -175, while the Maple Leafs are listed at +150 to overcome the defending Stanley Cup champions.
The Panthers held the advantage in the regular-season series, winning three out of four games with a combined score of 13-7. A significant factor in these matchups was Florida`s power play, which was highly effective, converting on five of 11 opportunities (45.5%). In contrast, Toronto`s power play struggled, converting only one of nine chances (11.1%).
This marks the second time these two clubs have met in the postseason, with their previous encounter also being in the second round in 2023. In that series, Florida eliminated Toronto in five games, with Nick Cousins securing the series win in overtime of Game 5.
Interestingly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Steven Lorentz, and Anthony Stolarz were part of the 2024 Panthers team that won the Stanley Cup. Playing against the team they won a championship with the previous season is a rare occurrence. NHL history records only one other previous playoff series where three players faced their former Cup-winning team from the immediate prior season: Wayne Gretzky, Mike Krushelnyski, and Marty McSorley playing for the Los Angeles Kings against the Edmonton Oilers in 1989.
Since 2021, the Panthers have achieved significant playoff success, winning more games (39) than they did in their first 26 seasons combined (19). Their 39 wins and 66 postseason games played since 2021 are the most in the NHL during that span.
Florida`s current leading playoff goal scorers are all active players: Carter Verhaeghe (28), Sam Reinhart (23), Aleksander Barkov (20), and Matthew Tkachuk (20).
For the Maple Leafs, this is their ninth consecutive postseason appearance, which is the longest active streak in the NHL and tied for the second longest in franchise history. The previous nine-year streak for the Leafs concluded with a Stanley Cup victory in 1967.
Toronto captain Auston Matthews is tied with Darryl Sittler for seventh place in franchise history for playoff goals, with 25. His next goal will move him into a tie for fifth place with Steve Thomas and George Armstrong. Wendel Clark holds the franchise record with 34 playoff goals.
Arda`s Three Stars from Round 1
1. Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars
Rantanen was a key offensive force in the first round, tallying 12 points to help the Stars eliminate his former team, the Avalanche. He achieved multiple playoff firsts during this run, including the first Game 7 in history with a third-period hat trick.
2. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
McDavid demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the series against the Kings, particularly in the early games, often carrying the team. He finished the series with 11 points as the Oilers defeated the Kings in the first round for the fourth consecutive season.
3. Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals
The Capitals` goaltender put in a strong performance, allowing two goals or fewer in four of the five games against the Canadiens and finishing the series with an impressive .922 save percentage.
Sunday`s Final Score
Winnipeg Jets 4, St. Louis Blues 3 (2OT)
WPG wins series 4-3, advances to play DAL in Round 2
The Blues quickly took a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Jordan Kyrou and Mathieu Joseph, leading many to anticipate another challenging playoff outing for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Although the Jets narrowed the deficit in the second period with a goal from Cole Perfetti, Blues center Radek Faksa restored the two-goal lead with under a minute left, giving St. Louis a 3-1 advantage heading into the third period.
St. Louis maintained their lead until the final two minutes of regulation, when the Jets mounted a furious comeback. Vladislav Namestnikov scored at 18:04, and Cole Perfetti dramatically tied the game with a deflection with just three seconds remaining. The intense battle continued through 36 minutes of overtime before Adam Lowry tipped Neal Pionk’s shot from the point past Jordan Binnington, securing the series-clinching goal for Winnipeg.
Rupert Hartwell