NHL Playoffs: Maple Leafs on the brink of elimination against the Panthers
After taking a 2-0 series lead against the Florida Panthers, the Toronto Maple Leafs now find themselves down 3-2, heading into Game 6. The game will be played on Friday.
Will this be the last game of the season for the Maple Leafs? Or will they force a Game 7 on Sunday?
Here we present the details of the matches, with statistical analysis and the outstanding players.
Notes on the confrontation
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers
Game 6 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT
With the Panthers leading the series 3-2, the odds favor Florida to win the series, while the Maple Leafs’ odds are less favorable. The Panthers’ chances of winning the Stanley Cup are high, while Toronto’s are lower.
The Panthers have a favorable record of 5-1 when leading 3-2 in a seven-game series. The only loss was in the 2012 playoffs against the Devils. The Maple Leafs have a 6-18 record when trailing a series 3-2.
In Game 5, 14 different Panthers players recorded points, the most in a single playoff game in franchise history. In addition, 17 different Florida players have scored goals this postseason, breaking a franchise record set in 1996.
Panthers’ Sam Reinhart, with his fourth multi-point game in the playoffs, is one of six players to have reached that milestone in the 2025 playoffs.
The Panthers have not trailed for 170:10 minutes of game time since Carter Verhaeghe’s goal in the second period of Game 3.
Toronto’s Auston Matthews has not scored a goal in his last five games, tying his longest goal drought in the playoffs.
Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz is unlikely to play in Game 6, which could return the starting role to Joseph Woll, who allowed five goals in Game 5.
Featured Stars of Thursday
- Connor Hellebuyck (Goaltender, Winnipeg Jets): Made 22 saves in the 4-0 victory, achieving his second consecutive shutout at home in this series.
- Mark Scheifele (Center, Winnipeg Jets): Scored the first goal in Game 5 and assisted on Nikolaj Ehlers’ goal. He has three goals in elimination games, the most in Thrashers/Jets 2.0 franchise history.
- Frederik Andersen (Goaltender, Carolina Hurricanes): Allowed only one goal on 19 shots in the victory against the Capitals.
Thursday’s Results
Carolina Hurricanes 3, Washington Capitals 1
CAR wins 4-1, will play against the winner of TOR-FLA
The Hurricanes advanced to the Eastern Conference final, surpassing the Capitals. Jordan Staal scored the first goal for the Canes, followed by a response from Anthony Beauvillier for Washington. Andrei Svechnikov scored the decisive goal, and Seth Jarvis secured the victory with an empty-net goal. Carolina awaits the winner of the series between the Maple Leafs and Panthers in the conference final.
Winnipeg Jets 4, Dallas Stars 0
DAL leads 3-2 | Game 6 on Saturday
The Jets secured a crucial victory, with Connor Hellebuyck leading with 22 saves. Mark Scheifele scored the first goal, followed by goals from Nikolaj Ehlers and Vladislav Namestnikov. Ehlers added an empty-net goal. Dallas will have another chance to close out the series at home on Saturday.
