Updated NHL Playoff Bracket 2025 Picture, Schedule After Panthers vs. Leafs Game 1

The Eastern Conference Semifinals opened Monday night with a fiery clash as the Florida Panthers hit the road to take on the top-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1.

Both teams rolled through their first-round matchups — top-seeded Toronto advanced after dispatching the No. 4 Ottawa Senators in six games, while the third-seeded Panthers made quick work of the No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning, winning the series 4-1.

To open the series, the Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 5-4 victory to take a 1-0 lead over the Florida Panthers in the series.

After the Maple Leafs win, here’s a look at Monday night’s outcomes, key upcoming matchups and the night's biggest highlights.

Stanley Cup Playoffs results: Monday, May 5

Game 1: Toronto Maple Leafs def. Florida Panthers, 5-4 (TOR leads 1-0)

Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule: Tuesday, May 6

Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals, Second Round Game 1: 7:00 p.m. ET

Edmonton Oilers at Las Vegas Knights, Second Round Game 1: 9:30 p.m. ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule: Wednesday, May 7

Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs, Second Round Game 2: 7:00 p.m. ET

Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets, Second Round Game 1: 9:30 p.m. ET

Toronto Maple Leafs 5, Florida Panthers 4

The Maple Leafs dominated early, striking just 33 seconds into Game 1 as William Nylander lit the lamp. The right winger added another goal midway through the first, pushing Toronto to a 2-0 advantage. 

Florida responded late in the period with a goal from Seth Jones to stop the bleeding, but Morgan Rielly answered quickly, restoring the two-goal cushion heading into the second.

Both defenses clamped down in the middle frame, but Toronto still found a way through. Chris Tanev added to the tally with just under eight minutes left, giving the Leafs a commanding 4-1 lead.

Toronto's momentum took a hit when veteran goalie Anthony Stolarz was forced to leave the game after taking a brutal forearm to the head from Florida’s Sam Bennett. Fifth-year goalie Joseph Woll took over in relief.

The third period belonged to Florida. Eetu Luostarinen scored just 1:39 in and Ulvis Balinskis followed up with another goal minutes later to ignite the comeback. Despite being hit with two penalties—hooking and roughing—the Panthers stayed aggressive and closed the gap to just one.

Matthew Knies restored the Maple Leafs’ two-goal lead with a clutch finish, but it didn’t hold for long. Bennett fired one home with under two minutes to play, cutting the deficit to one and setting up a tense final push as the game came down to the wire.

The Panthers nearly completed the comeback, but Toronto’s defense held firm in the final moments as the Maple Leafs escaped with a gritty Game 1 victory.

Florida and Toronto will play in Game 2 of the series on Wednesday.