SUNRISE, Fla. — The Toronto Maple Leafs head into Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Florida Panthers knowing it’s do-or-die.
After winning the first two games of the series, the Leafs have stumbled badly, dropping three straight, including a deflating 6–1 loss on home ice in Game 5. The Panthers now hold a 3–2 series lead and have a chance to close things out at Amerant Bank Arena on Friday, May 16.
For Toronto, the pressure is on its core. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander have been held off the scoresheet during the Leafs’ recent slide, and the offense has dried up, managing just one goal in each of the last two contests.
Goaltender Joseph Woll will once again get the start in net, with Anthony Stolarz still sidelined after his Game 1 injury.
Florida, meanwhile, is surging with confidence. Carter Verhaeghe, Matthew Tkachuk, and Sam Reinhart have been the driving force behind the Panthers’ surge, outscoring Toronto 13–5 over the last three games.
Game 6 will be broadcast on Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports, and TNT, with puck drop set for 8:00 p.m. ET.
A win for the Leafs forces Game 7 back in Toronto on Sunday. A loss would end another disappointing playoff run for a franchise still seeking its first Stanley Cup since 1967.
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