Maple Leafs Edge Panthers in High-Scoring Game 1 of Playoffs

Toronto, ON – The Toronto Maple Leafs triumphed over the Florida Panthers 5-4 in a thrilling Game 1 of their Eastern Conference second-round Stanley Cup playoff series on May 5, 2025.

William Nylander led the Maple Leafs with two goals, including the game opener just 33 seconds into the first period. His early strike is noteworthy as it ranks among the fastest goals to start a playoff series in Maple Leafs history.

The Maple Leafs took a commanding 4-1 lead into the third period, but things turned tense in the final minutes. Starter Anthony Stolarz left the game after being injured by a collision with Sam Bennett. Backup Joseph Woll stepped in for his first playoff appearance this season, drawing cheers from the 19,031 fans at Scotiabank Arena.

“We fought hard, but we let our guard down a bit in the final stretch,” Nylander said postgame. “It’s great to get the win, but we need to stay focused and play our game.”

The Panthers fought back, with goals from Seth Jones and Eetu Luostarinen, keeping the pressure on Toronto. However, the Maple Leafs’ defense held strong despite the late-game surge.

Toronto’s Chris Tanev added a goal, making it 5-3 before Sam Bennett scored for Florida, narrowing the gap to one goal. The game’s pace was frenetic, with both teams combining for 29 shots from the Panthers and 30 from the Maple Leafs.

Game 2 will be held on Wednesday in Toronto, where both teams will look to solidify their strategies and adapt after a high-scoring opener.