Sam Bennett powered the Florida Panthers to a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night, scoring power-play goals late in each of the first two periods. Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves, and the short-handed Panthers secured their seventh win in eight games to extend their lead atop the Atlantic Division.
Despite missing key players—Matthew Tkachuk (lower-body injury), newly acquired Brad Marchand (upper-body injury), and suspended defenseman Aaron Ekblad—the defending Stanley Cup champions found a way to outlast Toronto.
Bennett opened the scoring with a power-play goal late in the first period, setting the tone for a tight contest. After John Tavares tied the game with his 27th goal of the season, Florida’s penalty kill took over in the second period. The Panthers successfully fended off two Toronto power plays in the opening 10 minutes before Bennett struck again on the man advantage, giving Florida a 2-1 lead.
Niko Mikkola extended the Panthers lead early in the third period, his goal proving to be the eventual game-winner. Max Domi pulled one back for Toronto late, but Bobrovsky stood tall to secure the win.
Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who spent the 2022-23 season with Florida, made 22 saves but fell to 0-2 against his former team this season.
Florida continues to prove its depth despite missing star players. Captain Aleksander Barkov, along with Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and members of the team’s management, presented a Stanley Cup replica ring to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday, commemorating last season’s championship.
Stolarz has struggled against his former team, losing both matchups. The Maple Leafs have now lost four of their last five games, slipping four points behind the division-leading Panthers.
With the game tied 1-1 in the second period, Florida’s penalty kill stepped up in a crucial stretch. The Panthers erased two Toronto power plays in the first 10 minutes, then turned the momentum in their favor with two quick goals in a span of 3:17.
Before Thursday’s game, Florida and Toronto had been separated by two points or fewer in the standings for 103 consecutive days. The Panthers’ victory now gives them a bit of breathing room atop the division.
Both teams are back in action Saturday. Florida will visit the Montreal Canadiens, while Toronto hosts the Ottawa Senators in a key divisional matchup.
