Panthers Fly to Toronto for Game 7 vs. Leafs, Pack for Carolina

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers left town Saturday afternoon, heading back to Toronto to play the Maple Leafs in Game 7 later tonight.

It could be the final road trip of the season for the Panthers — or just an extended one.

With the Eastern Conference finals starting Tuesday night, the Panthers are either headed home for Toronto on Monday morning, or going right to Raleigh.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals is Tuesday at 8; it is either going to be the Hurricanes starting in Toronto, or the Panthers going to Carolina.

There is business to take care of first, of course.

This has been a streaky series.

The Maple Leafs won the first two games, then the Panthers won three straight before Toronto pulled out a 2-0 win on Friday night.

Anything can happen in a Game 7.

“It’s an opportunity,’’ Matthew Tkachuk said, “to make a name for ourselves again. We enjoy these games and we enjoy these moments.”

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW / FLORIDA PANTHERS

• The full schedule for the upcoming Eastern Conference final is out.
• The Panthers and Maple Leafs all know legends are made in Game 7.
• Rasmus Asplund became a father for the first time, and then scores two goals to lead the Charlotte Checkers to a Game 2 win over Hershey. The Checkers are up 2-0 in their series with the two-time defending champion Bears.
• Paul Maurice: There’s ‘a freedom’ to Game 7.
• The Hurricanes are working on some stuff as they continue to wait and see who they will play.
• The Panthers are headed back to Toronto after losing Game 6.
• The Maple Leafs saved their season with their win on Friday night.
• Don’t forget to subscribe to the FHN YouTube channel to watch video interviews with the Florida Panthers throughout the postseason. On Saturday, we got Maurice, Aaron Ekblad, and Sam Reinhart before their flight north. More today from Toronto.

NHL LINKS / NATIONAL HOCKEY NOW

• Thomas Harley scored a power-play goal 1:33 into overtime to give Dallas a 2-1 win in Game 6 against the Jets. It’s the Stars and Oilers in the WCF — again.
• It was an emotional night for Mark Scheifele, who played in Game 6 following the death of his father Brad. Scheifele made it 1-0 by scoring 5:28 into the second period.
• Alex Ovechkin will return next season.
• Sidney Crosby had a pretty nice game for Team Canada on Saturday.
• Should the Philadelphia Flyers consider trading back in the draft?
• What the Chicago Blackhawks see in Jeff Blashill as they continue their coaching search.
• Kelly McCrimmon laments a ‘wasted season’ for the Vegas Golden Knights.
• The San Jose Sharks may not be looking for a new arena for a long time.

2025 NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS: GAME 7

FLORIDA PANTHERS @ TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 

Best-of-7 Series tied 3-3

• When: Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
• National TV: TNT/truTV
• National Streaming: MAX
• Radio: WQAM 560-AM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• Series Schedule — Game 1: @Toronto 5, Florida 4; Game 2: @Toronto 4, Panthers 3; Game 3: @Florida 5, Toronto 4 (OT); Game 4: @Florida 2, Toronto 0; Game 5: Florida 6, @Toronto 1; Game 6: Toronto 2, @Florida 0; Game 7: Sunday @Toronto 7:30 (TNT/truTV).
• How They Got Here: Toronto d. Ottawa 4-2; Florida d. Tampa Bay 4-1
• All-time Postseason: Panthers d. Toronto 4-1 (2023 ECS)
• Up Next: Winner vs. Carolina Hurricanes (M2), 2025 Eastern Conference final