It’s all or nothing! Maple Leafs and Panthers face off in a decisive Game 7
The series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers reaches its climax. Sunday’s game will define the fate of both teams, marking the end of an intense battle that has had everything: initial victories for Toronto, a dominant streak by Florida, and a crucial victory by the Leafs in Game 6.
The winner will advance to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals, while the loser will begin their summer vacation earlier than expected.
Keys to the confrontation
Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 7 | 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
The Maple Leafs will look to break a six-game losing streak in Game 7, with a 12-15 record in these decisive games. The Panthers, for their part, have a favorable 3-1 record in Game 7, including a win in last year’s Stanley Cup Final.
Auston Matthews’ first playoff goal in 11 games against the Panthers came at a key moment, being the game-winning goal in Game 6. Matthews became the second Maple Leafs captain in history to score the decisive goal in an elimination game, joining Darryl Sittler in 1976.
Mitch Marner, Matthews’ teammate, assisted on the goal and is the second player in Toronto history with 50 playoff assists, behind Doug Gilmour, who has 60.
Joseph Woll recorded his first playoff shutout, becoming the first Leafs goalie to achieve this in an elimination game since Curtis Joseph in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals.
Florida’s Brad Marchand will play his 13th Game 7, the most among active players. He is tied with Scott Stevens and Patrick Roy, and behind Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara.
Sergei Bobrovsky has a 2-0 record in Game 7s, including last year’s Cup Final win over Edmonton. He’s looking to join an elite group of eight goalies who have won their first three Game 7s.
Key Players to Watch
Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: Joseph Woll. There are several reasons. First, if he can replicate what he did in Game 6. Second, because of the need for depth in goal. A Woll win in Game 7 would emphasize this reality.
Ryan S. Clark
Victoria Matiash, NHL analyst: William Nylander. After a great performance against Ottawa and Florida, Nylander has been quiet this week. If he manages to score against Bobrovsky, it would give his team a great opportunity.
Victoria Matiash
Arda Öcal, NHL commentator: Auston Matthews. The Leafs captain scored his first playoff goal against the Panthers in Game 6. He needs to prove his worth in the decisive game.
Arda Öcal
Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: Mitch Marner. It’s time for Marner to have his defining moment in Game 7. After a disappointing performance in Game 5, this is his chance to redeem himself.
Kristen Shilton
Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter: Brad Marchand. Marchand can become the first player in NHL history to defeat the same opponent in at least five win-or-go-home games. If Marchand leads the Panthers to victory, he would solidify himself as the Maple Leafs’ biggest tormentor.
Greg Wyshynski
Score Predictions
Clark: Panthers 4-3 in overtime.
Matiash: Maple Leafs 4-2.
Öcal: Leafs 3-1.
Shilton: Leafs 3-2 in overtime.
Wyshynski: Panthers 2-1.
The three stars of Saturday according to Öcal
1. Dallas Stars fans: In memory of Mark Scheifele.
2. Thomas Harley, D, Dallas Stars: Scored the game-winning goal in overtime.
3. Mark Scheifele, C, Winnipeg Jets: He had a great game despite the passing of his father.
Saturday Summary
Dallas Stars 2, Winnipeg Jets 1 (OT)
Dallas wins the series 4-2 and will play against Edmonton in the conference finals.
After Scheifele’s goal, Sam Steel tied it for Dallas, taking the game to overtime, where Thomas Harley sealed the victory.
