Despite initially holding a 2-0 lead in their second-round series, the Toronto Maple Leafs are now facing a 3-2 deficit against the Florida Panthers as they head into Friday`s Game 6, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
Will this upcoming game mark the end of the Maple Leafs` season, or can they mount a comeback to force a crucial Game 7 on Sunday?
This article provides a preview of the matchup, including statistical insights from ESPN Research, a summary of the action from Thursday`s games, and Arda Öcal`s selections for the three top performers from that night.
Matchup Notes
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers
Game 6 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT
With the Panthers holding a 3-2 series advantage, ESPN BET currently lists them as heavy favorites at -800 to win the series, while the Maple Leafs are at +500. Florida`s odds to win the Stanley Cup have improved to +300, contrasting with Toronto`s at +2500.
Historically, the Panthers have a strong record when leading a seven-game series 3-2, winning 5 of 6 previous instances, with their sole loss occurring against the Devils in the 2012 playoffs. The Maple Leafs, conversely, have struggled when trailing 3-2, holding an all-time record of 6 wins against 18 losses in such situations.
Game 5 saw a franchise milestone for the Panthers, with 14 different players registering points, the most ever for the club in a single playoff contest. Furthermore, 17 different Florida players have scored a goal in this postseason, breaking the franchise`s single-postseason record set back in 1996.
Panthers forward Sam Reinhart recorded his fourth multipoint game of these playoffs in Game 5, becoming one of only six players across the league to reach this benchmark in the 2025 postseason.
Florida has been remarkably dominant recently, not trailing for a continuous stretch of 170 minutes and 10 seconds of game time, dating back to Carter Verhaeghe`s game-tying goal at 5:17 of the second period in Game 3.
On the Toronto side, star forward Auston Matthews is currently experiencing a goalless drought that has lasted for five games, matching the longest of his playoff career, which also occurred in the 2021 and 2023 postseasons.
Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz is reportedly unlikely to play in Game 6, which is expected to result in Joseph Woll starting in net. Woll allowed five goals on 25 shots faced in Game 5.
Öcal`s Three Stars from Thursday
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1. Connor Hellebuyck
G, Winnipeg Jets
The likely recipient of the Vezina Trophy, Hellebuyck made 22 saves to earn a shutout in a 4-0 win, marking his second consecutive shutout at home in this series. -
2. Mark Scheifele
C, Winnipeg Jets
Scheifele scored the game`s opening goal in Game 5 and also recorded an assist on Nikolaj Ehlers` power-play goal in the second period. He now holds the Thrashers/Jets 2.0 franchise record with three goals scored in games where the team is facing elimination. -
3. Frederik Andersen
G, Carolina Hurricanes
Andersen has performed exceptionally well for the Hurricanes. In the series-clinching victory over the Capitals, he allowed just one goal on 19 shots, and he conceded a total of only six goals throughout the Hurricanes` five-game series against Washington.
Thursday`s Game Recaps
Carolina Hurricanes 3, Washington Capitals 1
Carolina wins series 4-1
Carolina secured their spot in the Eastern Conference Final with a hard-fought victory over Washington, ending the Capitals` season. The game was tied 1-1 late into the third period after Jordan Staal`s opener was answered by Anthony Beauvillier. Andrei Svechnikov broke the deadlock with under two minutes left, and Seth Jarvis added an empty-net goal to seal the 3-1 win. The Hurricanes now advance to face the winner of the Maple Leafs-Panthers series.
Winnipeg Jets 4, Dallas Stars 0
Dallas leads series 3-2 | Game 6 Saturday
Facing elimination, the Winnipeg Jets delivered a dominant performance, led by Connor Hellebuyck`s 22-save shutout. Mark Scheifele opened the scoring in the second period, his fourth goal of the playoffs. Nikolaj Ehlers scored on the power play early in the third, followed by Vladislav Namestnikov. Ehlers added an empty-net goal late, securing the 4-0 victory and forcing Game 6. The Dallas Stars will have another opportunity to close out the series at home on Saturday; otherwise, a decisive Game 7 would take place Monday in Winnipeg.
