Maple Leafs Get Their Payback, Outmuscle Panthers 4-1 in First Meeting Since Game 7 Heartbreaker
It’s been a long time coming, but the Toronto Maple Leafs finally got their shot at redemption against the Florida Panthers - and they didn’t waste it. In their first meeting since that gut-wrenching Game 7 loss in the second round of the 2025 playoffs - a night that marked the end of Mitch Marner’s tenure in Toronto - the Leafs came out with purpose, poise, and a little bit of payback in a 4-1 win.
Both teams entered this one needing points in the standings and looking for some momentum. Injuries and inconsistency have made for a rocky start on both sides, but when the Leafs and Panthers share the ice, the intensity tends to take care of itself. And tonight, it did just that.
First Period: Leafs Strike Early, Twice
Florida came out buzzing. The Panthers controlled the pace for the first few minutes, generating a couple of dangerous looks and nearly breaking through. But Jake McCabe had other plans - making a huge goal-line save to keep the game scoreless and swing the momentum.
That moment flipped the script. On their very first shot of the game, the Leafs opened the scoring thanks to Troy Stecher, who jumped up and buried one to give Toronto the early edge.
And they weren’t done. Just a few minutes later, Dakota Joshua doubled the lead with a strong finish, putting the Leafs up 2-0.
Toronto didn’t just sit on the lead either. They matched Florida’s energy, kept the pressure up, and finished the period tied in shots at 11. It was a complete 20 minutes from a team that’s been looking for that kind of start.
Second Period: Panthers Push, But Leafs Hold Steady
The middle frame didn’t have the same tempo as the first, but the physical edge that defines this matchup started to show. Hits were traded, tempers flared a bit, and the Panthers finally found a crack in the Leafs’ defense.
With just over five minutes left in the period, Sam Reinhart got Florida on the board, cutting the lead to 2-1. It was a much-needed goal for a Panthers team that had been pressing but hadn’t found much room to work with.
Outside of that, chances were limited. Both teams managed nine shots in the period, but neither could find a rhythm.
It was a grind-it-out 20 minutes - the kind of hockey that usually favors Florida. But Toronto didn’t blink.
Third Period: Leafs Lock It Down, Seal the Win
The final frame brought the pace back - and so did the chances. Both teams had opportunities to change the game, including a key moment when Sergei Bobrovsky came up huge on a Maple Leafs odd-man rush during a penalty kill. It was the kind of save that can flip momentum in an instant.
But Joseph Woll was equally sharp at the other end. Florida pushed hard for the equalizer, but Woll stood tall, making timely saves and keeping the Leafs in front.
Then came the dagger. With just under eight minutes to play, Scott Laughton found the back of the net to make it 3-1 Toronto. It was a perfectly timed goal - not flashy, but effective - and it gave the Leafs the breathing room they needed.
Florida emptied the net in the final minutes, but John Tavares iced it with the empty-netter, capping off a statement win for a team that’s been searching for one.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just two points in the standings - this one meant a little more. The Leafs looked sharp, disciplined, and opportunistic. They got key contributions from across the lineup, solid goaltending from Woll, and a defensive effort that shut down a desperate Panthers squad.
It’s only one game, but if Toronto can bottle this kind of performance - a mix of grit, structure, and timely scoring - they’ll start climbing the standings in a hurry. And for a team still finding its identity post-Marner, this was a big step in the right direction.