Panthers right winger Mackie Samoskevich, left, attempts a shot on the goal as Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll, right, defends during a game, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla.
This isn’t 2023. The Leafs were favoured in that second-round series; they were a 111-point team playing a 92-point Florida squad. In the Leafs front office, they hoped that the long-awaited first-round win over Tampa Bay would free Toronto’s players from the ghosts, the demons, whatever haunted them in the biggest moments.
Panthers right winger Mackie Samoskevich, left, attempts a shot on the goal as Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll, right, defends during a game, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla.
This isn’t 2023. The Leafs were favoured in that second-round series; they were a 111-point team playing a 92-point Florida squad. In the Leafs front office, they hoped that the long-awaited first-round win over Tampa Bay would free Toronto’s players from the ghosts, the demons, whatever haunted them in the biggest moments.
But there was a worry, too: that the Leafs might relax, and that was the right worry. None of the core four scored until after the Leafs had already fallen behind 3-0 in the series, including an inexcusable Game 3 from Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Yes, the Leafs lost two OT games in the series, but that’s playoff hockey. Yes, the Panthers reached the Cup final, and went on to win it the next year, but that’s what the Leafs are aiming for. The loss blew apart the Leafs front office, and cemented their core.
TORONTO IS BUZZING FOR ROUND TWO 🗣️
Watch Game 1: Panthers vs. Maple Leafs on Sportsnet 📺
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet)
Now? The Leafs are not favourites in this series, home-ice advantage and all; this Panthers team is the favourite to win another Stanley Cup. So now the Leafs have to face a team that is almost built to take pc28apart: two Selke nominees on their top line, elite defensive forwards through the lineup, heavy physicality and a monster forecheck, and a goalie who stoned the Leafs last time these teams met in the playoffs. This isn’t 2023, but it’s no easier, it appears. Welcome to Game 1.
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Bruce Arthur is a columnist for the Star. Follow him on Twitter:
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