Boqvist In, Rodrigues Out For Panthers in Game 5 Against Maple Leafs

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TORONTO — The Panthers and Maple Leafs will be treating Wednesday’s matchup as the most important game of the year — at least to this point.

 

When the Panthers left Ontario last week, the Leafs had the series in its palms after going up 2-0 at home.

 

One week later, Florida returned to Scotiabank Arena in a much better position to when they left. Like Toronto, the Panthers took care of business on home-ice; winning games 3 and 4 to even up the series at 2-2.

 

”I think the last couple games we’ve played the whole sixty minutes,” Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen said on Wednesday. “The momentum is crucial in these games.”

 

The stakes of Wednesday night’s Game 5 in Toronto is very similar to the Panthers’ Eastern Conference Finals series against the New York Rangers last year. Florida tied up that series after winning Game 4 in overtime at home before taking Game 5 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

 

”This is where we’re supposed to be,” Maurice responded when asked about his sense of the group going into Game 5. “The setup is exactly [like] the Ranger game (Game 5, 2024 ECF). We were down in the series, came back, went into New York.”

 

He added: “It’s harvesting that excitement about it. That’s kind of how we’re moving around each other today.”

 

Evan Rodrigues (undisclosed) will not play in Game 5. The Panthers forward did not return to Game 4 after he was hit by Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson away from the puck 4:51 into the third period.

 

“He just can’t play today,” Maurice said when asked about Rodrigues’ status. “We’ll list him as day-to-day.”

 

Jesper Boqvist will draw in for Rodrigues on the first-line alongside Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart.

 

“It’s a great opportunity, obviously playing with two great players,” Boqvist said after morning skate. “I just got to do what I do, I can’t be someone else, right?”

 

Boqvist played in seven games this postseason but has been out of the lineup the past two games as a healthy scratch.

 

“The advantage to having him come in is he can play all three forward positions,” Maurice said of the decision to play Boqvist. “ (It) gives us some options on either Nosek returning to the left wing with Barkov and Reinhart like we did the last 15 minutes of the third [in Game 4]. I can move him over to the right as well, there’s lots of versatility there for us. He’s got some experience.”

 

Other than Boqvist coming in for Rodrigues the Panthers will be running the same lineup as they did in Game 4.

 

Puck drop for Game 5 will be Wednesday night at 7 p.m. EST from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

 

Projected Lines Panthers

Boqvist-Barkov-Reinhart

Verhaeghe-Bennett-Tkachuk

Luostarinen-Lundell-Marchand

Greer-Nosek-Gadjovich

 

Forsling-Ekblad

Mikkola-Jones

Schmidt-Kulikov

 

Bobrovsky

Vanecek

Surprise Contenders: MLB’s Underdog Teams Making a World Series Push in 2025

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The 2025 MLB season has already delivered several compelling narratives of unexpected contenders, with initially overlooked teams rising to the challenge and rewriting the script. While preseason projections often predict a predictable order, the early part of the 2025 campaign has thrown a curveball, with several teams defying expectations. As May rolls on, clubs thought to be rebuilding or in a transitional phase are now positioning themselves as serious forces in the pennant races. Let’s look at some underdog teams that have emerged as surprise contenders.

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are among the most surprising teams of the 2025 season. For years, the Motor City faithful have waited for their team to return to playoff contention, and after a few seasons of rebuilding, the Tigers have made an unexpected leap. Sitting at 26-15, the Tigers are currently atop the competitive AL Central, outpacing favourites like the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians.

 

A revamped pitching staff has quietly become one of the team’s biggest assets, with emerging young arms stepping into key roles and veteran starters providing steady leadership. That kind of depth on the mound often proves crucial over the grind of a full season. On the offensive side, players who once showed only flashes are now delivering with consistency, creating a lineup that mixes youthful energy with seasoned poise. 

 

As this balance starts to translate into wins, it’s no surprise that the Odds to win the World Series are beginning to shift — a reflection of how quickly momentum can reshape expectations in a postseason race.

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals are another team in the AL Central that has emerged as a surprise contender. After years of rebuilding, the Royals have begun to show the fruits of their labour. They are firmly in the mix with a 24-18 record, and their performance has surprised many.

 

The Royals’ offence, which has been inconsistent in recent seasons, has come alive with the emergence of young stars beginning to make an impact. Coupled with the steady presence of experienced veterans, the Royals’ lineup has proven capable of scoring runs against tough pitching. 

 

More importantly, their pitching staff has shown marked improvement, particularly in the starting rotation and bullpen, both have kept them in games and allowed them to win tight matchups. While the AL Central remains a tough division, the Royals have made it clear that they are no longer a bottom-feeder but a team to be reckoned with.

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have surprised many in the National League by performing far ahead of expectations. Armed with an exciting young core, the Reds were viewed as a team on the rise, but many assumed they would need another year or two to seriously contend. Instead, their young stars have delivered results much sooner than anticipated.

 

With a 20-22 record, the Reds are in the thick of the NL Central race, and their youthful lineup has been a major part of why. The team’s offence has been dynamic, with speed, power, and on-base ability. The key question for the Reds moving forward will be the consistency of their pitching. If the young arms continue to develop and the veteran pitchers maintain stability, the Reds could challenge a playoff spot soon. Their aggressive, exciting style of play has made them one of the most fun teams to watch this season.

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners have quietly positioned themselves as a legitimate contender in the AL West. While most of the attention in the division has gone to the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, the Mariners have stayed under the radar and put together a solid season so far, with a 22-17 record.

 

Much of Seattle’s success has been rooted in its exceptional pitching staff. With a rotation anchored by a mix of established aces and promising young arms, the Mariners have consistently shut down opposing offences. The bullpen has also been solid, holding leads and securing victories in close games. 

 

While the Mariners’ offence has been good, their pitching has been the most impressive. If their bats can catch up and produce more consistently, the Mariners could challenge for the AL West crown. In a division with two recent World Series participants, their emergence as a legitimate contender is one of the season’s biggest surprises.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks, coming off a surprise playoff run in 2024, have again shown they can hang with the best in the NL West. Although the Dodgers remain the favourites in the division, the Diamondbacks have proven they are no fluke, and they are pushing to show that their postseason success last year was no one-time event.

 

With a record of 21-20, the Diamondbacks stay competitive in a tough division. MLB Matchup Insights and Forecasts from platforms and legit sources continue to shape fan expectations across the league, offering valuable perspective on how clubs like Arizona can navigate the postseason race. After their strong showing in 2024, the Diamondbacks have come into the 2025 season with a chip on their shoulder, determined to prove they belong in the postseason conversation. Their early performance has kept them in the hunt for the playoffs, and they look poised to challenge for another strong finish.

The Bigger Picture

As the 2025 MLB season continues, several underdog teams have already reshaped the landscape of their respective divisions. The Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, and Arizona Diamondbacks have all exceeded expectations and brought excitement to a season that many thought the usual contenders would dominate.

 

While it’s still early, the rise of these teams serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement that make MLB so compelling. With a long season ahead, it’s unclear whether these underdogs will be able to maintain their success and secure playoff spots. Still, their performances have injected fresh energy into the season. For fans, it’s a reminder that in baseball, anything is possible. Whether they continue their surprising runs or falter, these teams have already made their mark, and their stories are far from over.

Panthers Defeat Maple Leafs in Game 4, Series Tied at 2-2

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SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers erased a 2-0 series deficit at home after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0 in Game 4 of its second-round series at Amerant Bank Arena on Sunday night.

 

Sam Bennett had the game-winning goal and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 21 shots he faced in a shutout effort for the Panthers.

 

Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll was the main reason why Toronto trailed by just one goal for most of the game. The 26-year-old had 35 saves in the loss.

 

On their fourth power play of the first period, Florida finally broke open the scoring.

 

Matthew Tkachuk fired a pass across the slot to Carter Verhaeghe, who buried a one-timer past Woll, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead with 4:20 to go in the opening period.

 

In the first three games of the series, Florida strayed away from the style of hockey they play best — a heavy, grind-it-out forechecking game.

 

The approach reverted back to the Panthers of old on Sunday night. Florida focused their offense around getting pucks deep and playing physical down low. The result was Sergei Bobrovsky seeing just 13 shots in the first two periods of play.

 

Still holding just a one-goal lead late in the third, Sam Bennett bursted through the neutral-zone and deked out Woll before scoring his fifth goal of the postseason to put the Panthers up 2-0.

 

Now tied at 2-2 after both teams defended home-ice, the series transitions back to Toronto.

 

Game 5 will be at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena.

Marchand Scores Overtime Winner, Panthers Get Back into Series Against Maple Leafs

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SUNRISE, Fla. — One bounce the other way could have seen the Panthers one foot in the door of an early summer.

 

Searching for a playoff hero after Game 3 went to overtime on Friday night at Amerant Bank Arena, Brad Marchand answered the call, scoring the game winner to get the Panthers back into the series against the Maple Leafs.

 

Marchand’s shot found its way past Joseph Woll after taking a deflection off of Morgan Rielly, leading Florida to a 5-4 OT win and cutting Toronto’s series lead to 2-1.

 

“It feels good but it’s all about doing it again the next game,” Marchand said after the game. “[Toronto’s] going to come out hard. You saw the way they prepared for the game tonight — they have their killer instinct right now so we have to do a better job at preparing to start the game and then carry it through.”

 

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 27 of the 31 shots he faced, including eight in overtime — two of those being breakaways.

 

The Leafs came out of the gates as they did in Game 1. Before some fans made it from the parking lot to their seats, Toronto was up 2-0.

 

Matthe Knies scored 23 seconds into the game — 10 fewer than his teammate William Nylander took in the series opener — and John Tavares doubled the Leaf’s lead before the six-minute mark of the first.

 

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov cut the deficit to one 7:38 into the first with his third goal of the postseason.

 

John Tavares reclaimed a two-goal lead for Toronto 2:52 into the second period after deflecting a Mitch Marner on the power play for his second goal of the night

 

Once again down two, the Panthers flipped the script, scoring twice in 64 seconds to tie the game.

 

Sam Reinhart was credited with Florida’s second goal of the night after a broken play in front of Toronto’s net saw a puck sneak under Joseph Woll’s glove at the 5:13 mark of the period.

 

Carter Verhaeghe tied the game at 3-3 moments later after Sam Bennett fed a cross-crease pass to Verhaeghe, who had an open goal to shoot at.

 

Making his playoff debut on Friday,  Jonah Gadjovich gave Florida its first lead of the game after a Tomas Nosek shot grazed off him and into the Leaf’s net with 4:53 left in the second.

 

Gadjovich, who was on the Cup winning team in 2024 but didn’t appear in a playoff game, found out he would be playing in Game 3 on Thursday.

 

“I was super excited, obviously [my] first playoff game,” Gadjovich said. “I didn’t want to be anything that I’m not. Just wanted to come in, play hard, play physical, do what I do and get the win.”

 

Morgan Rielly tied the game with 9:04 to go in regulation thanks to Morgan Rielly, whose initial shot from the point was saved by Sergei Bobrovsky before banking in off of Panthers defenseman Seth Jones.

 

The same way Rielly’s his game-tying shot  hit a body in the third, he’d be the unfortunate victim in OT after Marchand’s shot hit him before going into the goal.

 

Now down 2-1, the Panthers will have a chance to tie the series at home on Sunday in Game 4 before they eventually fly back to Toronto for Game 5 on Wednesday.

 

“It just means you have a better day tomorrow,” Maurice responded when asked if the momentum will change after the Panthers won Game 3. “But the context changes up until the puck dropping [Sunday]… You get up 0-3 to any of these eight teams [left in the playoffs] you’re going to have a hard time getting out of that.”

Dodgers take series 2-1, but Marlins show flashes of fight

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🐟 Marlins vs. Dodgers Series Recap (May 5–7, 2025)

The Miami Marlins hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series at loanDepot Park. The Marlins secured a thrilling extra-innings victory in Game 2 but fell short in the other two matchups. Here’s a detailed look at each game:

Game 1 – Monday, May 5: Dodgers 7, Marlins 4

Sandy Alcántara, the 2022 NL Cy Young winner, continued to struggle, allowing five runs over five innings, including two-run homers to Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. His ERA rose to 8.42.

What’s Wrong with Sandy Alcantara? A Deep Dive into His 2025 Struggles

A bright spot for the Marlins was rookie catcher Agustín Ramírez, who launched a 424-foot pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning, making his presence felt in his young career.

Game 2 – Tuesday, May 6: Marlins 5, Dodgers 4 (10 innings)

In a thrilling extra-innings contest, Jesús Sánchez delivered a walk-off single in the 10th inning, scoring Xavier Edwards and securing a 5-4 victory for the Marlins.

Catcher Liam Hicks contributed a two-run homer in the fifth inning, while Connor Norby and Dane Myers added RBI hits in the sixth. Cal Quantrill started for Miami, pitching five innings, and Jesús Tinoco earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief.

Game 3 – Wednesday, May 7: Dodgers 10, Marlins 1

25-year-old pitcher Valente Bellozo delivered a strong performance, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings (7ks) before the bullpen faltered. The Dodgers broke the game open with a six-run seventh inning, highlighted by Freddie Freeman’s bases-clearing triple.

The Marlins managed only one run, with the offense struggling to generate momentum against Dodgers pitching.

This one run did prevent the Marlins from being shut out from home (they haven’t been all year).

🔍 Series Highlights & Lowlights

Highlights:

  • Agustín Ramírez 424-foot pinch-hit blast in Game 1. 5-10 this series.

  • Jesús Sánchez delivered a walk-off single in Game 2, showcasing clutch hitting. 4-13 this series.

  • Valente Bellozo impressed with 5.1 scoreless innings in Game 3, demonstrating potential in the starting rotation.

  • Dane Myers 4-12 and continues to impress both offesnively and defensively.

Lowlights:

  • Sandy Alcántara’s continued struggles on the mound, with an ERA rising to 8.42.

  • The bullpen’s inability to maintain leads, particularly evident in the late innings of Game 3.

  • Offensive inconsistency, with the team managing only one run in the series finale.

  • 33 Strike outs this series, 32% strikeout rate as a team (Strikeouts have been a glaring issue as they have the 4th most in the MLB).

The Marlins now hold a 14-22 record and will look to build on the positives from this series as they prepare for upcoming matchups.

@ White Sox 5/9-5/11

@ Cubs 5/12-5/14

Maple Leafs Defeat Panthers in Game 2, Take 2-0 Series Lead to Sunrise

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The Toronto Maple Leafs took a 2-0 series lead after defeating the Florida Panthers 4-3 in Game 2 of their second-round matchup on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena.

 

Mitch Marner scored the game-winning goal and Joseph Woll stopped 26 of 29 shots faced as the Leafs won both of their home games to open the series.

 

The Leafs handled business in Toronto and now have the reigning champions on their heels as the series moves to South Florida.

 

Opposite to their Game 1 start, where they conceded on the first shot of the night just 33 seconds into the first period, Florida scored first on Wednesday night.

 

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov opened the scoring with a power-play goal 10:58 into the game. After killing off two penalties to begin the game, the Panthers scored five seconds into their first man-advantage of the game after Barkov ripped a shot from the circle past Joseph Woll for a 1-0 lead.

 

Toronto tied the game at 1-1 with 1:41 left in the opening period after MAx Pacioretty scored on the Leaf’s third power play of the game.

 

Brad Marchand retook the lead for the Panthers just 15 seconds into the second period.

 

The Leafs once again tied the game a few minutes later after Pacioretty hit William Nylander off the rush for his third goal of the series 4:18 into the second.

 

Max Domi gave the Leafs their first lead of the night with 2:51 left to play in the second period. Steven Lorentz slipped a backhand pass to Domi who beat Bobrovsky, putting the Leafs up 3-2 before the second intermission.

 

Searching for an equalizer in the final period of regulation, Florida’s third-line found the tying goal after Anton Lundell tapped in a backdoor rebound to make it a 3-3 game.

 

The Panthers’ excitement would last mere moments after Mitch Marner gave the Leafs a 4-3 lead just 17 seconds after Lundell’s tying goal with an unprovoking shot from the point to beat Bobrovsky.

 

Marner’s goal would be the last as the Leafs handled business in Toronto, coming out on top of two consecutive one-goal contests.

 

The series will transition to Sunrise for Games 2 and 3 as the defending Stanley Cup champions will try and get their first win of the series.

Ekblad, Samoskevich Draw In for Panthers, Stolarz Out for Maple Leafs in Game 2

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Looking to even up its second-round playoff series with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Florida Panthers will be making a few lineup changes for Wednesday night’s Game 2 at Scotiabank Arena.

 

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad will return to the lineup after missing the past two games as he served out a suspension for a high-hit he laid on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in the first round.

 

“We’ve missed him,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice told reporters after morning skate in Toronto. “He’s a big part of what we do.”

 

Ekblad will jump right back on Florida’s top-pair next to Gustav Forsling. Uvis Balinskis will be coming out.

 

“I’m really excited,” Ekblad said about returning to the lineup. “Obviously after Game 1 I’m hoping to provide some energy for the team.”

 

Forward Mackie Samoskevich will also draw in for AJ Greer in Wednesday’s Game 2 in Toronto.

 

The 22-year-old rookie was a healthy scratch for the past three playoff games dating back to the first round. Samoskevich played in the Panthers’ first three games against the Lighting before being replaced by Greer.

 

“In some ways the pressure is off him,” Maurice said of Samoskevich drawing back in. “He gets to come back in and just play.”

 

He will slot in on the fourth-line alongside Nico Sturm and Jesper Boqvist.

 

On the opposite side of the ice, the Maple Leafs will be without starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz for Game 2.

 

Stolarz, who was hit in the head/neck area by Panthers’ forward Sam Bennett’s forearm, left Game 1 about midway through the second period — a few minutes after the Bennett hit — and did not return.

 

The former Panther now Leafs No. 1 was seen throwing up on the Leafs’ bench before he left the game and was taken to the hospital for further evaluations.

 

“He’s fine, he’s recovering,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Stolarz’s health when speaking to reporters on Wednesday.

 

Joseph Woll — who finished Game 1 after Stolarz left — will get the start for Game 2. Matt Murray will back up 26-year-old Woll.

 

Berube did not provide a timeline on when Stolarz would return.

 

Following the play which saw Stolarz leave the game, Sam Bennett has become the talk of the series.

 

Bennett said that he reached out to Stolarz after finding out his former teammate went to the hospital.

 

“Stolie is a good friend of mine, I reached out to him — he responded,” Bennett said on Tuesday. “Obviously you never want to see an injury like that.

 

“From my point of view I’m just taking the puck to the net. I didn’t even know that we made contact until after. I’m on the power play, I’m trying to score; I’m taking the puck to the net and that’s really all there was to it.”

 

Bennett did not receive any supplemental discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for the hit and will be in the lineup for Game 2.

 

Panthers Projected Lines

Verhaeghe-Barkov-Reinhart

Rodrigues-Bennett-Tkachuk

Luostarinen-Lundell-Marchand

Samoskevich-Sturm-Boqvist

 

Forsling-Ekblad

Mikkola-Jones

Schmidt-Kulikov

 

Bobrovsky

Vanecek

 

 

Maple Leafs Projected Lines

Knies – Matthews – Marner

Pacioretty – Tavares – Nylander

Lorentz – Laughton – Jarnkrok

McMann – Domi – Holmberg

 

McCabe – Tanev

Rielly – Carlo

Benoit – Ekman-Larsson

 

Woll

Murray

Why Social Sweepstakes Casinos Are a Game-Changer for Casual Sports Fans

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For casual sports fans, watching a game is all about fun, excitement, and a bit of friendly competition. But what if you could extend that energy beyond the final whistle? That’s where social sweepstakes casinos come in. These platforms offer a fresh and engaging way to bring fans closer to the action—without spending real money. Instead of high-stakes bets, players enjoy free-to-play games with the chance to win real prizes.

Unlike traditional sports betting, where you risk your cash, a social sweepstakes casino offers a risk-free alternative. It combines the excitement of gaming with the community spirit of sports fandom. It’s a win-win for anyone looking to enjoy the action without worrying about real-money losses.

More Than Just Slots: What Makes It Special

One of the biggest draws of these platforms is how they connect you with your favorite teams and moments. From themed slot games to sports-inspired challenges, there’s something for every fan. On sites like Yay Casino, you can explore a wide range of games designed to match the energy of a live match. To see what’s available, you can check out your favorite social sweepstakes casino lobby and jump into the action.

Here’s why casual fans are making the switch:

  • Free-to-play format: No real-money deposits required. Play with virtual coins and win real prizes through sweepstakes. 
  • Sports-themed slots and games: Feel the rush of game day even when the match is over. 
  • Community interaction: Chat, compete, and celebrate wins with other fans. 
  • Accessible anytime: Play from your phone, tablet, or desktop, no matter where you are. 
  • Simple and safe to use: Sign-up is quick, gameplay is easy, and rewards are earned through sweepstakes—not wagers. 

These features turn everyday game time into a full-on experience. You’re not just watching; you’re part of the action.

Why Casual Fans Are Hooked

Sports are about connection—with your team, your friends, and the moments that bring everyone together. A social sweepstakes casino adds another layer to that experience. It gives fans a way to stay engaged, even when the game is over. Instead of betting on final scores, you can spin, win, and interact in themed games that keep the energy going.

Here are a few more reasons fans keep coming back:

  • Exciting graphics and sounds that mimic stadium vibes 
  • Bonus features tied to real-life sports events 
  • Special rewards for consistent play or participation 

All of this comes without the risks or pressure of traditional betting. It’s perfect for people who love sports but want to keep things light, social, and fun.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Social Sweepstakes Casinos

To make your experience even more fun and rewarding, here are a few quick tips:

  • Log in daily to claim free coins and stay active. 
  • Try different games to find the ones you enjoy most. 
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These small habits can make a big difference in your overall enjoyment and chances of winning.

Final Thoughts

Social sweepstakes casinos are changing the way casual sports fans enjoy their favorite pastime. They bring together the joy of sports, the thrill of gaming, and the comfort of no-risk entertainment. Platforms like Yay Casino make it simple to join, easy to play, and exciting to stick around. Whether you’re winding down after a big game or just looking for a quick thrill, these casinos deliver fun without the fuss.

Maple Leafs Fend Off Late Panthers Comeback, Take 1-0 Series Lead

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The Toronto Maple Leafs took a 1-0 series lead in its second round series over the Florida Panthers after coming out on top of a nail-biting, 5-4 win at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

 

Florida nearly pulled off an improbable comeback after trailing 4-1 in the third period. The defending Stanley Cup champions scored three times in the final period of regulation after a poor showing to start the game.

 

22-year-old Leafs forward Matthew Knies scored the game-winning goal with six minutes to go in the third with his fourth goal of the playoffs.

 

William Nylander scored twice in the first period, with his first goal coming on the Leaf’s first shot just 33 seconds into the game.

 

Panthers defenseman Seth Jones scored on the power play to stop the bleeding after Nylander’s second goal, cutting the Leafs lead to 2-1.

 

Toronto immediately retook a two-goal lead after Morgan Rielly buried a shot off the rush 19 seconds following Jones’ goal, putting the home team up 3-1.

 

Chris Tanev also scored for Toronto, giving them a three-goal cushion in the second.

 

Former Panthers backup goaltender turned No. 1 for the Maple Leafs Anthony Stolarz started his seventh game of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday for Toronto.

 

Stolarz allowed one goal on nine shots before leaving the game midway through the second.

 

Earlier in the game, Stolarz caught an elbow to the head/neck area from Panthers’ forward Sam Bennett. Stolarz also had his mask knocked off earlier in the game from a Sam Reinhart wrist shot.

 

ESPN’s broadcast showed Stolarz leaning over the Leafs bench as he appeared to be throwing up into a bucket before eventually leaving the game.

 

Joseph Woll, who played three games for Toronto in the 2023 second round against Florida, took over the net for Stolarz. Woll allowed three goals on 17 shots, all in the third period.

 

Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 29 shots in the loss.

 

Trailing 4-1 to start the third, the Panthers made what looked like to be a blowout into a close game after scoring twice less than five minutes into period with goals from Eetu Luostarinen and Uvis Balinskis.

 

With a Panthers comeback looming, a botched line change that saw just four Florida players on the ice  — only one of those being a defenseman — allowed Knies to spring forward on the breakaway, where he scored the eventual game winner.

 

Sam Bennett once again made it a one-goal game with 1:55 to go in the third, however the Panthers’ push ended there and the Leafs came away with the victory.

 

Following Monday night’s loss, the Panthers find themselves in a similar situation to last year; they fell in Game 1 of the 2024 second round to the Boston Bruins before winning the series in six games.

 

Florida will look to bounce back in Game 2 on Wednesday night. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET from Toronto

Kyle Stowers Named NL Player of the Week After Monster Stretch

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MIAMI — Kyle Stowers is no longer a feel-good story — he’s a force.

The 27-year-old Miami Marlins outfielder was named National League Player of the Week after a dominant stretch at the plate, going 8-for-19 with 5 runs, 4 home runs, and 10 RBIs. His recent outburst was punctuated by a walk-off grand slam that sent loanDepot park into a frenzy — a moment that capped off one of the best weeks of his career.

“You don’t rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your preparation,” Stowers said after his walk-off blast, a quote that now perfectly defines his 2025 breakout.

After struggling in previous seasons, Stowers has completely flipped the script. Through 109 at-bats this year, he’s hitting .321 with 6 home runs, 25 RBIs, and a .928 OPS — good for a 151 OPS+, making him one of the most productive outfielders in baseball. His 0.7 WAR marks a career-high, already eclipsing his combined total from past seasons.

Once viewed as a fringe roster piece, Stowers is now a legitimate All-Star candidate and a critical part of Miami’s lineup. With the Marlins clawing their way through a competitive NL East, his resurgence couldn’t come at a better time.

If he keeps producing like this, Stowers won’t just be a weekly award winner — he could be one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season.