Maybe exorcising past playoff demons in the first round will prompt the Leafs to a sharper effort after almost letting the Sens come back to force a Game Seven. In the end the Craig Berube factor proved a plus, but Toronto will have to avoid stringing together as many listless shifts as in the first round. A highlight of the Ottawa series was GK Anthony Stolarz (2.21 GAA in first round) mostly being up to the moment, and keeping the Leafs within striking distance even when the offense and power play misfired. The Panthers will be a tougher test, after the defense and Sergei Bobrovsky in goal diffused the potent Lightning in the first round. A lower-scoring opener tonight wouldn't surprise. Play Panthers-Maple Leafs Under.

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to Florida in five games in the 2023 playoffs, but both teams have significantly changed their rosters since then. The Panthers haven't played a game outside Florida since April 6th. They are still without one of their best defensemen (Aaron Ekblad). Anthony Stolarz, a former Panther, has played well for Toronto, posting a .915 save percentage in Round 1. He could outplay Sergei Bobrovsky, who recorded a .901 save percentage against Tampa Bay. Bobrovsky wasn't as dominant on the road (13-10, 2.55 GAA) as at home (20-9, 2.36 GAA) this season. The Leafs secured a win against Florida at home in early April, which should give them confidence tonight.

Pretty excited about this series. It's obviously not a bad thing for the Panthers that they won their first-round series vs. rival Tampa Bay in five games but the one drawback of it not going six is that top blueliner Aaron Ekblad must finish his suspension in Game 1 at Toronto on Monday. Ekblad had 33 RS points, is a big part of the team's power play and was plus-11. The Leafs, meanwhile, were lights out with the man advantage in Round 1 vs. Ottawa at 35.3%. Goalie Anthony Stolarz allowed more than two goals just once vs. the Sens and had a 1.86 GAA on home ice during the RS.