It's a rematch from the 2022-23 second round, but the series will be far different from the last time the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers met.
The Oilers had made the Western Conference Finals the season before but were beaten handily by the Colorado Avalanche. Their roster at the time wasn't strong enough, but due to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's brilliance, they could defeat lesser teams.
When they met the Golden Knights in the playoffs, the Golden Knights' solidified blue line and depth outmatched the Oilers. Although the Golden Knights still hold that advantage this time around, the Oilers have the experience of being a win away from the Stanley Cup. Their depth guys understand their role and can execute it.
“There’s always going to be some sparks when you play that team, and we’ll see when they happen,” said Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. “So I expect that. I expect some physicality and some level of animosity amongst the two teams, and we’ll see where it goes.”
When the teams first met in the playoffs, suspensions were handed out to both teams, and the physicality was ramped up, playing into the hands of the Golden Knights. It was the start of a rivalry that has continued in each matchup.
Getting off to a fast start on home ice is imperative, but at no time can the Golden Knights take their foot off the gas. The Los Angeles Kings took a 2-0 series lead but dropped four consecutive games to the Oilers.
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Jansson, 21, was selected by the Panthers with the 125th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, the 6-foot blueliner has been working on his development overseas in Sweden. However, after signing this entry-level contract, he is able to begin his professional career in North America next season.
Jansson appeared in 50 games this season with Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), where he had one goal, four points, and a minus-2 rating. He also recorded two assists in 17 playoff games for the SHL squad, where they took home the Le Mat Trophy.
Jansson will likely need to spend some time with the Panthers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, before making the jump to the NHL level. However, the right-shot defenseman has good upside, and it will be fascinating to see how much of an impact he can make with the Panthers later down the road from here.
The Florida Panthers lost their Game 1 matchup to the Toronto Maple Leafs by a 5-4 final score. The Panthers made a push in the third period by scoring three goals, but they could not complete the comeback.
Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen kicked off Florida's third-period rally attempt, as he scored just 1:39 into the period. It was a nice goal, too, as he deflected a Anton Lundell feed past Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll to cut Toronto's lead to 4-2.
With this goal, Luostarinen extended his point streak to three games. The 26-year-old forward has been excellent during this streak, posting two goals, six points, and a plus-7 rating over that span. This includes scoring a goal and recording four points in the Panthers' series-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the last round.
With numbers like this, Luostarinen is undoubtedly hitting a new level offensively right now for the Panthers. While the 2017 second-round pick is more known for his strong defensive play and physicality, he has been a difference-maker offensively for the Panthers this post-season so far.
If the Panthers hope to get by the Maple Leafs and go on another long playoff run, they will need players like Luostarinen to continue to thrive for them. It will be interesting to see how he builds on his impressive play from here.
The New Jersey Devils' failure to make a significant addition at the NHL’s March trade deadline contributed to their first-round playoff exit.
However, it wasn't due to a lack of effort by GM Tom Fitzgerald.
According to RG.Org's Jim Biringer, Fitzgerald was interested in Ryan O'Reilly of the Nashville Predators. The 34-year-old two-way center lacks a no-trade clause, but the Predators treated him like he had one.
O'Reilly preferred to stay in Nashville, prompting the Predators to set a very high asking price. Biringer claimed they wanted three young assets in return, but Fitzgerald didn't want to pay a premium to get him.
Biringer also cited a source suggesting the Devils could move defenseman Simon Nemec or right winger Dawson Mercer this summer for a return that upgrades the roster.
Maybe Nemec and Mercer could be used in a bigger deal to acquire a superstar defenseman. Larry Brooks of the New York Post included Nemec and Mercer in his proposed trade package for Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes.
The Post pundit believes it's only a matter of time until the Hughes brothers are reunited, and it won't happen with the Canucks, pointing out that Quinn's contract expires in 2027. He thinks it's in the best interest of both teams to make this deal happen sooner rather than later.
Brooks isn't basing his proposal on any inside info from the Canucks or Devils. There's nothing in the grapevine suggesting the two clubs are discussing a reunion of the Hughes brothers, and Rutherford has indicated the Canucks will do everything they can to keep Hughes in Vancouver. Rutherford also suggested on the 100% Hockey with Millard & Shannon podcast last Friday that Hughes hasn’t told him he wants to play with his brothers, but it’s “been out there” and “people assume that.”
Nevertheless, this likely won't be the last time Quinn Hughes is linked to the Devils in the NHL rumor mill.
Matthew Knies is only 22 years old, but he's not playing like it on the NHL’s biggest stage in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After the Florida Panthers had clawed back from a 4-1 deficit with two quick goals early in the third period, cutting the lead to one in Game 1 of the second round against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the club needed someone to step up. With six minutes to go, Knies was the player who gave the Leafs some breathing room with an insurance goal – his fourth of the postseason – which proved to be the game-winner.
Linemate Mitch Marner won a puck battle along the wall in the Leafs’ end, poking the puck free to Knies. From there, the 6-foot-3, 227-pound forward was off to the races on a breakaway against Sergei Bobrovsky.
Knies sold the forehand, flipped the puck to his backhand, and lifted it over the glove, restoring the Leafs' two-goal cushion and eventually sealing a 5-4 victory with his second breakaway goal of the playoffs.
“I just saw that I could spring myself past their D, and Mitchie made a great play on the wall there to get it to me. I just wanted to beat him high on the glove side,” said Knies post-game.
Knies now has four goals on six breakaway opportunities this season (regular season and playoffs combined), according to Sportsnet Stats. The goal was similar to the one he scored on April 2nd – also with Bobrovsky in the crease – where Marner fed him on a stretch pass, and Knies again beat the veteran netminder, again going forehand-backhand, but that time along the ice for another game-winner.
"I think we did a lot of video, and I thought that I got him earlier in the regular season. I just wanted to elevate that one. It worked out for me," Knies explained.
But it’s not just the ability to finish that’s catching the attention of fans, teammates, and coaches. It’s how Knies is seamlessly making these plays in high-pressure moments and how much he’s grown in just his second full NHL season. Given his size and playstyle as a power forward, the Phoenix, AZ., native has elite hands in-tight – an underrated aspect of his game.
“Somebody asked me, what are you most impressed by with Knies?” said head coach Craig Berube. “He's got great hands in tight. And I didn't know this coming in here. You see the power in his skating and the physicality and that sort of stuff, but the hands are really good in tight. And that was a great example of it tonight with the goal we scored.”
The forward has quickly become one of Toronto’s most reliable forwards this postseason, not just with goals, but with execution, physical play, and a mature approach for his age.
Through seven playoff games, he has five points (4G, 1A), including a secondary assist on Chris Tanev’s goal in the second period to go along with his own tally in a strong Game 1 performance.
“He's a tremendous player. He's a pit bull out there with some nice hands,” Tanev said of Knies. “When he seems to get half a step on guys, it's tough for anyone to catch him. So, I guess he's done a bit of everything for us at a very high level of play. It's been huge for us.”
Goaltender Joseph Woll, who’s built a close relationship with Knies, has witnessed the evolution of the up-and-coming forward firsthand.
“He's a special player, man. He's a horse,” said Woll after Monday’s win. “You guys see him on the forecheck. He's got a lot of skill, and he shows it. He's pretty special. I think he's got a lot of maturity. He shows that. I think he's pretty unfazed by all of that. He just goes out and does his job. He doesn't try to be someone that he's not. He plays to his strength as much as he can.”
Knies had a career year offensively, posting highs in goals (29), assists (29), and points (58) in 78 regular-season games, taking a step from his freshman campaign with the organization. He found a rhythm on Toronto’s top line and increasingly showed flashes of the high-ceiling power forward the Leafs envisioned when they drafted him in the second round back in 2021.
As the season progressed, his confidence with the puck grew, and so did his impact.
“I think he's letting his skill come out more, and you guys are seeing that. Obviously, he's had a great year,” added Woll. “He puts the puck in the net and makes plays and is a menace on the forecheck.”
If his trajectory is any indication, he may only be scratching the surface of what’s to come, especially the possibilities in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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The hire of Mike Sullivan as the latest Blueshirt coach has inspired all kinds of speculation in Rangerville.
And since The Maven believes in fair reporting, all sides of the story, I chose to get an X-Ray on Sullivan from a Pittsburgh reporter who has covered Sully throughout his tenure with the Penguins.
Vince Comunale is as fair-minded as they come so keep that in mind as you read his analysis. (Hint: By the end of this you'll be smiling.) Here's a complete analysis from Sullivan in Pittsburgh and how he'll do in New York:
"Mike Sullivan coached parts of 10 seasons with the Penguins, amassing a 409-255-89 record, good for a winning percentage of .537. While a .537 winning percentage might not seem all that bad, consider that he had an average winning percentage of .642 in his first seven seasons in Pittsburgh.
"However, the team's record was a paltry 112-99-35 the past three seasons with winning percentages of .555, .537, and .488, respectively, falling short of the playoffs in all three seasons.
'Did Sullivan forget how to coach? No, but he did show a bit of reluctance to insert younger players into the lineup to support the aging core of Penguins superstars.
"Up until late this past season it was often the case that young players would be called up from the AHL, but then either healthy scratched or placed on the fourth line in a limited role.'
It seems he had forgotten that young players like Bryan Rust, Jake Guentzel, and Conor Sheary had given the Penguins the boost they needed back in 2016 and 2017 to push them to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
"Additionally, after parts of ten seasons with Pittsburgh, it seemed as though Sullivan's message had gotten stale. Let's face it, players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson are more-than-likely just out there doing their own thing and not taking much coaching guidance.
"That core four are, of course, mostly free from coaching criticism and reprimand, which also makes it difficult for a head coach.
"There were numerous times the past two seasons where Karlsson should have been benched for his actions, but no coach is going to bench a three-time Norris Trophy winner.
"By the close of this past season it became clear that the Penguins were in full blown rebuild mode and that Sullivan was likely not the head coach to see the team through a rebuild. Not that Sullivan is not capable of guiding a team through a rebuild, but he is a veteran head coach that is one of the most in-demand coaches in the NHL, so the mutual parting of ways did not come as a surprise.
"It also did not come as a surprise that Sullivan landed a new head coaching job about a week after his tenure in PIttsburgh came to an end.
"While Sullivan is inheriting a bit of a complex situation with the Rangers, he is the right person for the job. He is used to coaching superstars and used to coaching big personalities."
"Additionally, he is used to coaching teams with immense talent. The situation he is inheriting with the Rangers is very similar to the one he inherited in Pittsburgh during the 2015-16 season.
"The Penguins were loaded with talent and a preseason Stanley Cup favorite, but found themselves well out of a playoff spot when they made a coaching change in December of 2015.
"Similarly, the Rangers are one season removed from winning the Presidents' Trophy and many of the players that contributed to that Presidents' Trophy-winning season are still on the roster.
"Sullivan will get to the root of what was/is causing the discord in the Rangers' locker room and fix it. He might not guide the Rangers to a Stanley Cup Championship in his first season as he did with Pittsburgh, but it is a safe bet he will have them back in the playoffs.
'The Penguins and Rangers franchises are in two very different situations, but it is clear that it was the right time for the Penguins and Sullivan to part ways and the right time for the Rangers to hire him!"
The NHL announced the three nominees for the Calder Trophy on Monday, and there were no surprises. Former first-round pick and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Calgary Flames netminder Dustin Wolf, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson are the three players in contention.
Hutson’s nomination is probably the least surprising of the three since the 21-year-old blueliner has had what can only be described as a historic season. With 66 points, Hutson has produced the 4th highest total ever by a rookie defenseman in the NHL (behind Larry Murphy (76), Brian Leetch (71), and Gary Suter (68)). His 60 assists tied the NHL record set by Murphy in 1980-81. The Habs’ rearguard led the rookie race from start to finish, with Celibrini coming in second with 63 points and Philadelphia Flyers Matvei Michkov third with 63 points, but in more games than the Sharks’ forward.
The youngster was also seventh in points amongst all NHL defensemen this season, second in assists, and fourth amongst all players when it came to stealing pucks from opponents with 56; only Jacob Slavin, Cale Makar, and Mitch Marner had more steals. The diminutive defenseman dished out 40 hits on the season. While that’s not a lot, it’s better than Shea Theodore, who had six, Cam Fowler, who had eight, and Quinn Hughes, who only landed 13.
His 66 points also made him the most productive rookie defenseman in Canadiens’ history, overtaking Chris Chelios, who had set the mark with 64 in 1984-85. He was also third in scoring on the Canadiens this season behind Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Hutson was about more than points though, his creativity and spectacular play made him an instant fan favourite.
The last time a defenseman won the Calder Trophy was in 2021-22 when Detroit Red Wings’ Moritz Seider put up 50 points. Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar also won it with the same amount of points in 2019-20, but it was in 57 games only. When Aaron Ekblad grabbed it in 2014-15, he had 39 points in 81 games, but he was a much more defensive kind of blueliner.
It’s been a long time since a netminder has won the award. Steve Mason did it last in 2008-09. That year, he won 33 games and had a 2.29 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. In comparison, Wolf had a 29-16-8 record with a 2.64 GAA and a .910 SP. While he did have an impressive season, his chances would have been much better had he been able to guide the Flames to the playoffs.
The winner will be announced in June at a date yet to be revealed by the NHL, which makes sense since it’s too early to know when the playoffs will end.
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Vegas Golden Knights face defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers in rematch of their 2023 playoff series
Get ready for a rematch that might be even nastier the second time around. The Oilers and Golden Knights clash again after a six-game slugfest back in 2023 that saw Vegas eliminate Edmonton en route to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. This time, both sides look loaded for another run, with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl trying to write a different ending.
The Golden Knights haven’t missed a beat as they are once again a powerhouse contender after finishing a top the Central division. Vegas forward Jack Eichel has elevated his game, captain Mark Stone is back healthy, and their blue line remains among the league’s most lethal.
Edmonton, meanwhile, just dismantled Los Angeles in six after winning four straight games and boasts the NHL’s second-best power play — a weapon that took them to the Stanley Cup final last June. These teams don’t like each other, and the stakes are even higher now. Don’t be surprised if this one goes the distance — and gets ugly along the way.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
The Blues bought out the 32-year-old veteran forward as he wanted to go to a contender. Saad has been known as a playoff performer throughout his career with 27 goals and 30 assists for 57 points in 109 postseason games. He reached the mountain top in 2015 when he won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks and would like to add another to his trophy case.
Saad is still a decent source of points for an older player as he finished the season with 14 points through 29 games since joining Vegas. The Pittsburgh native will get more meaningful minutes on the Golden Knights second line and should produce offence at some point while playing with an elite player in Tomas Hertl as his centre.
He has yet to score this postseason and rides a six-game goal drought that is bound to end. We can count on at least one goal as the sportsbooks have Saad at -300 odds to get one goal, which means we'd only need one more to cash this bet. The Oilers allowed 24 goals through the first round and Saad should take advantage.
Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are the clear two favourites for this bet but we again look to exploit a bleeding defence like the Oilers. Vegas is without their top scorer in Pavel Dorofeyev and will need someone else to step up like their top playoff performer over the last seven postseasons in captain Mark Stone.
With 34 goals and 34 assists for 68 points over his last 81 games, Stone is top 11 in postseason scoring and has yet to pop off for a big series with four points in the first round.
I think we can expect an over point-per-game series out of Stone and should put him in the conversation for the points leader of this series. He will continue playing on a line with Jack Eichel, who finished with the sixth-most assists in the NHL this season at 66 and recorded four more in the first round.
*IF HEALTHY* Pavel Dorofeyev 2+ Series Goals (-105)
The Golden Knights leading scorer this season was a breakout star in Dorofeyev. The 24-year-old Russian star has emerged as a top-end talent, netting 35 goals along with 17 assists for 52 points in a full-82 game season. Dorofeyev continued his success with a goal in the first round versus a strong defensive team in Minnesota before being sidelined with an undisclosed injury and missing game six.
It's a bit of a risk since the extent of the injury is still unknown, but if he's able to return for Game one, this bet looks solid. He'll have plenty of scoring opportunities playing on the second line alongside Hertl and Saad, and he'll also see time on the top power play unit with Eichel. As mentioned before, the Oilers defence is bleeding with no clear starter and the Golden Knights top scorer will more than likely take advantage.
As is often the case when it comes to Florida Panthers and playoff games, much of the talk after Monday’s Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs was about a controversial hit.
Sometimes, it’s the Panthers player who gets hit.
This time, it was Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz leaving the game about ten minutes about taking a Sam Bennett forearm to the head.
The hit itself came as Bennett drove to the net with the puck, as his body moved into the goal crease and came into contact with Stolarz’s head.
While Bennett doesn’t appear to extend his arm or use any additional force, his momentum was enough to cause Stolarz to go down, clearly impacted by the hit.
Officials immediately whistled play dead, but no penalty was called on the play, and Stolarz remained in the game for about two minutes of game time.
Speaking after the game, Toronto Head Coach Craig Berube made it clear how he felt about the play.
“Elbow to the head,” Berube said. “Clear as day.”
Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice was also asked about the hit.
“The referee was standing right there when it happened,” Maurice said. “You will do your thing, the league will do its thing, and I’ll coach the next game, hopefully.”
One thing that is worth noting is that Stolarz took a shot directly to the head during the first period, one that traveled with enough force to pop both lower straps off his helmet.
— Florida Panthers Den (@FlaPanthersDen) May 6, 2025
The NHL Department of Player Safety looks at every play that could potentially lead to further discipline, so it’s safe to say that they’ll be taking a close look at this one.
We should find out in relatively short order if they feel this play warrants any further action.
While each head coach clearly had a different opinion on what happened, one thing that both could agree on is that they hope Stolarz turns out to be fine and is back on the ice in short order.
“We’re hopeful for Anthony and his health,” said Maurice. “We love that guy, and we hope he gets better real fast.”
The NHL will look at it from every angle possible, but again, you're talking about Sam Bennett here. Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube is adamant Bennett knew exactly what he was doing.
"Elbow to the head," Berube said after Game 1. "Clear as day."
The incident comes two years and one day after Bennett knocked Matthew Knies of the Maple Leafs out with a concussion when he body slammed him to the ice. Like the Bennett elbow on Stolarz, there was no penalty called on the play.
Today's post-game video column goes more into what happened, so take a look and let us know what you think.
Unfortunately, it appears that one big name has been taken off the board.
On Monday, coach David Carle and the University of Denver Pioneers reached a multi-year contract extension that will keep him in Denver for the foreseeable future. This extension was reached despite Carle having conversations with and interest from multiple NHL organizations with coaching vacancies.
STAYING PUT: David Carle signs a multi-year contract extension and is committing to a multi-year pledge in support of the Murray Armstrong Hockey Student-Athlete Enhancement Fund.
Carle, 35, has a very good track record as a head coach in developmental leagues, as he has led Denver to two national championships and four Frozen Four appearances in his five full seasons at the helm. In 2024-25, Denver went 31-12-1 and opened the season on a 12-game winning streak.
"It'd be tough for me, personally, to go with somebody that has no record or real passion for development," Dubas said. "Those are becoming fewer and fewer in that brethren of coaching right now, so it will be a vital component, for sure."
He pointed to coaches with AHL, collegiate, and junior experience, which shows that the organization could potentially be prioritizing that developmental experience over a full-blown NHL coaching resume.
According to TSN's Chris Johnston, the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender is being evaluated in hospital after leaving during the second period of their 5-4 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 1.
Just over five minutes into the game, Stolarz took a shot off the head from Sam Reinhart, which knocked off the goaltender's mask. Early in the second period, during a Florida power play, Sam Bennett's forearm collided with Stolarz's head, putting the goaltender to the ice.
The 31-year-old remained in the game until midway through, when it appeared he was throwing up on the bench. Joseph Woll came in for relief and stopped 17 of 20 shots for his first postseason win this year.
"I'm not sure why there's not a call on it, but I get it, they miss calls. But it's clearly a penalty."
Berube added that Stolarz was being evaluated. When asked whether the evaluation was inside the rink or the hospital, the head coach said, "Right now he's just being evaluated."
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman followed up on Johnston's report, saying Stolarz was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Johnston also reported that the goaltender was taken out of Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher.
"Hopefully the league will handle it, take good care of it, and protect our players," Matthew Knies said following the game, before talking about Bennett's style of play.
"I know he's a hard player. I mean, I know you watch hockey too, so you guys see it. Especially at the 4 Nations, you see he's an intimidating player. He likes to use that, it helps him."
Woll said following the game that there wasn't much conversation with Stolarz before he left the game in the middle frame. It was the first time the 26-year-old saw game action since Apr. 17 against the Detroit Red Wings.
"I think it's kind of a mix of concern for him and you don't want to see him not feeling well or whatever was going on," Woll said. "At the same time, I'm getting prepared to play, so kind of a mix of that."
Stolarz has started every single playoff game for the Maple Leafs, winning four of six games against the Senators with a .901 save percentage. He missed nearly two months from mid-December to mid-February after having knee surgery.
The netminder finished the regular season with a .926 save percentage through 34 games, the best total in the NHL.
"He's been our rock for the whole year. I can't say enough about him," Chris Tanev said on Monday night. "That's all I'm really going to say about it, and Joe did a great job coming in. That's not an easy thing to do, so you got to give him a ton of props for doing that."
The Maple Leafs have an optional practice on Tuesday morning, and we will likely get another update on Stolarz then.
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Welcome to The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live, streaming nightly during the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs.
After the big game of the night, our experts go live to react to the match that was, break down the key moments and storylines and read your opinions.
On tonight's show, Katie Gaus and Michael Augello react to the Toronto Maple Leafs holding off the Florida Panthers 5-4 in Game 1 of their second-round series.
Although the Panthers got close to coming back, Toronto hung on. But much of the focus will be on the status of goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who had to leave Monday's game.
The Florida Panthers will have to come from behind if they’re going to advance past the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Florida looked out of sorts for much of the night, falling behind early and struggling to recover as they dropped Game 1 of the second round to the Maple Leafs by a final score of 5-4.
It was a fast start for the home team, with the Leafs tickling the twine on the game’s first shift.
William Nylander beat Sergei Bobrovsky from a sharp angle after bringing the puck down the right boards, giving Toronto a 1-0 lead just 33 seconds into the game.
Nylander struck again with just over seven minutes left in the period, jumping on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson rebound and beating Bobrovsky over the glove.
Seth Jones broke the ice for the Panthers late in the first period with Florida on the power play, firing a wrist shot over Anthony Stolarz blocker through a nice screen from Sam Reinhart.
Unfortunately for Florida, they’d allow Toronto a high-end chance immediately afterwards, and Morgan Reilly beat Bobrovsky by the blocker while on an odd-man rush to reclaim the two-goal lead just 19 seconds after Jones’ goal.
After just eight shots on Bobrovsky, the Leafs had three goals.
Toronto expanded their lead again on another goal from one of their blueliners.
This time it was Chris Tanev sending a wrist shot that bounced before beating Bobrovsky to give the Maple Leafs a 4-1 lead.
Not long after, goaltender Joseph Woll came into the game and replaced Stolarz, who had taken a hit to the head from Sam Bennett earlier in the period.
Florida came out looking much more aggressive during the third period, and they were rewarded with a couple of quick goals.
First it was Eetu Luostarinen deflecting an Anton Lundell shot past Woll just 99 seconds into the final frame, then with the Lundell line back on the ice less than three minutes later, Uvis Balinskis walked the puck down from the point and wired a shot over Woll’s glove.
Just like that, the Panthers were right back in the game with plenty of time to go.
A bad line change cost the Cats dearly as Matthew Knies went in all alone on Bobrovsky and beat him with a backhand over the glove to restore the Leafs’ two-goal lead.
With Bobrovsky on the bench, Sam Bennett scored from the bottom of the left circle, shooting a wrist shot that went off defenseman Brandon Carlo’s stick and over Woll’s right shoulder to cut the lead back to one with 1:55 to go.
That would be as close as it would get.
Florida certainly has a lot they’ll wait to clean up before Wednesday night.
On to Game 2.
QUICK THOUGHTS
Jones has goals in two of his past three games.
Brad Marchand has recorded two assists in back-to-back games and is now averaging a point per game during the playoffs.
Matthew Tkachuk picked up an assist, his sixth point in six postseason games.
Carter Verhaeghe has points in three straight games after picking up an assist on Jones’ PPG.
Also with a three-game point streak is Lundell, who has six points during the run.
Just like his buddy Lundy, Luostarinen has points in three straight games, and six points during his streak, as well.
Florida’s penalty kill, fresh off an impressive series against Tampa Bay, went a perfect 5-for-5 in Game 1.
Golden Knights, Oilers Open Second Round On Tuesday In VegasThe Golden Knights will open their second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers at home on Tuesday at 6:30 pm (pacific). 
