The Toronto Maple Leafs open their Eastern Conference Second Round campaign on home ice riding the momentum of a gritty six-game series win over the Ottawa Senators and a five-game home win streak that has re-energized both the team and its fanbase. While Toronto has long carried the burden of playoff underachievement, this postseason has seen the team display greater resilience, improved structure, and timely performances from its stars. Auston Matthews has led the offensive charge with goals in five consecutive games, reasserting himself as one of the NHL’s premier finishers, while Mitch Marner has orchestrated play with surgical precision, piling up assists and creating constant zone pressure. William Nylander has been equally valuable, blending speed and creativity, and the Leafs’ power play has clicked at just under 26%, which could be critical against Florida’s aggressive penalty kill. Defensively, Morgan Rielly has logged major minutes and been a steadying force, while the blue line group, including Jake McCabe and T.J. Brodie, has embraced a more physical, no-frills approach that has helped limit breakdowns in high-danger areas. Joseph Woll has emerged as the team’s starting goaltender, and while his numbers—2.78 GAA and a .905 save percentage—don’t scream dominance, he’s made key saves under pressure and has provided a calming presence in the crease.

That said, the Leafs will need to tighten their defensive zone exits and be more assertive in net-front battles, especially against a Florida team that thrives on chaos around the crease. Head coach Sheldon Keefe has shown more tactical flexibility this postseason, adapting lines and matchups on the fly to disrupt opposing game plans, and he’ll likely rotate defensive assignments to counter the Panthers’ four-line depth. The major hurdle for Toronto is reversing its recent history against Florida, having lost three of four regular-season meetings and struggling to match the Panthers’ pace and transition game in those contests. To succeed in this series, the Leafs must impose their tempo early, maintain discipline to avoid giving Florida unnecessary power play opportunities, and use their physical edge to wear down the Panthers’ top skaters. Winning Game 1 at home is not just about gaining the series lead—it’s about building belief and proving they can handle the playoff pressure that has haunted them for years. With the crowd at Scotiabank Arena firmly behind them and the roster finally playing with the kind of confidence expected of a contender, Toronto has a golden opportunity to rewrite the narrative and take a significant step toward Eastern Conference supremacy. If their stars continue to produce and their depth players contribute with energy and reliability, the Maple Leafs are well-positioned to strike first and take control of this tightly anticipated series.