The Florida Panthers are one win away from a return to the Eastern Conference Final after putting on a dominant display in Game 5, thrashing the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena. Backed by another stellar performance from Sergei Bobrovsky and a barrage of offense from the blue line, the defending Eastern Conference champions took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Bobrovsky was nearly perfect once again, stopping 31 of 32 shots and continuing a dazzling run between the pipes. Toronto’s only goal came with just 1:06 remaining in regulation, when Nicholas Robertson snapped the Panthers’ shutout streak at 143 minutes and 25 seconds.
The Panthers, winners of three straight, erupted for three goals in a 7:53 span during the second period to seize control of the game — and potentially the series.
“We played our game tonight — aggressive, fast, physical,” said Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. “And Bob [Bobrovsky] was Bob again. We fed off his saves and let our defense drive the attack.”
Florida’s defensemen were the unlikely stars of the night, combining for three goals before the game reached the third period.
Aaron Ekblad opened the scoring late in the first period, rifling a wrist shot past Joseph Woll with 5:22 remaining. Dmitry Kulikov then got the second-period onslaught started, launching a slap shot from the point that caromed off Toronto’s Scott Laughton and in at 6:08.
Niko Mikkola made it 4-0 with 5:59 left in the second, adding a third goal from the defensive corps and sending Leafs fans to the exits early.
Jesper Boqvist, back in the lineup after sitting out Games 3 and 4 as a healthy scratch, made the most of his opportunity. Skating in place of the injured Evan Rodrigues, Boqvist scored his first career playoff goal and added an assist, showcasing chemistry with linemates Sam Reinhart and captain Aleksander Barkov.
Boqvist’s goal came with 9:55 remaining in the second period, finishing at the left post after Reinhart delivered a pinpoint cross-ice pass. His return added speed and a spark to Florida’s forward depth.
The Panthers added to their lead in the final frame. A.J. Greer scored his first career playoff goal and Sam Bennett netted his sixth of the postseason to stretch the margin to 6-0 before Robertson’s late tally ended Bobrovsky’s shutout bid.
The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, struggled to generate meaningful offense for most of the night and were undone by costly turnovers, a lack of finish, and defensive lapses.
With the loss, Toronto faces elimination in Game 6, set for Friday night in Sunrise, Florida.
The Maple Leafs tried to shake things up, inserting forwards Nick Robertson and David Kämpf into the lineup while scratching Calle Järnkrok and Pontus Holmberg. Kämpf was appearing in his first game since an April 2 injury, while Robertson had last played in Game 2 of the first round.
Florida’s Rodrigues was unavailable after taking a heavy hit from Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Game 4, which drew an interference penalty. Boqvist stepped into the top-six role seamlessly.
The Panthers have a chance to eliminate the Maple Leafs in front of their home crowd at Amerant Bank Arena on Friday night. With momentum squarely in their favor and Bobrovsky in peak form, the defending Eastern Conference champions are one win away from another deep playoff run.
Game 6: Friday, 7:00 PM ET — Sunrise, Florida
