On Sunday, Leafs captain Auston Matthews spoke to the media ahead of Game 1 and insisted that this group is different and ready to go against the Panthers. “We’re a prepared group, we’re ready to go,” Matthews said. “We know the challenge that lies ahead, and it's just taking it one step at a time.”

Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs have punched their ticket to the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs after defeating the Ottawa Senators in six games. Now, they set their sights on the reigning champions.

The Toronto Maple Leafs open their second-round playoff series tonight on home ice against the Florida Panthers. While the two teams are alike in many ways, the series could become a clash of contrasting styles: elite skill versus punishing grit and high-octane power play versus shutdown penalty kill.