William Nylander stepped up big-time in Game 1 of the second-round series, scoring two goals and providing an assist to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a thrilling 5–4 win over the Florida Panthers. He opened the scoring late in the first period, beating Sergei Bobrovsky with a clean wrist shot to give the Leafs an early lead. That goal set the tone for the rest of the night.
The 27-year-old winger didn’t stop there. Nylander assisted on Mitch Marner’s goal midway through the second period, part of a dominant stretch where Toronto scored three times to take a 4–2 lead. Nylander’s speed and puck control were a constant problem for Florida’s defense.
Panthers Battle Back, But Nylander Closes It Out
Florida pushed hard to stay in the game. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart both found the back of the net, keeping the Panthers within striking distance. Late in the third, Tkachuk scored again, cutting the Leafs’ lead to 4–3. But just as momentum seemed to swing, Nylander responded with his second goal of the night—this one a breakaway finish that proved to be the difference.
Despite one last push from the Panthers, including a late goal to make it 5–4, the Leafs held firm. Ilya Samsonov made 30 saves and came up clutch in the final minutes, denying Florida a chance to tie it. Bobrovsky finished with 27 saves but struggled to contain Toronto’s top scorers.
Balanced Attack Gives Leafs Early Series Edge
While Nylander stole the spotlight, Toronto got important contributions across the lineup. Auston Matthews and John Tavares each scored, while the Leafs’ blue line held strong during key penalty kills. The defense limited second-chance shots and helped Samsonov stay focused.
The win gives the Leafs a 1–0 lead in the series and a valuable boost of confidence. Game 2 will take place Thursday night in Toronto, where the home crowd will be hoping for more of the same energy and execution.
If Nylander continues at this level—he now has 15 points in his last 10 playoff games—the Leafs could make a serious run this postseason.
After Maple Leafs win: Upcoming Games Tonight
Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Overview: Both teams advanced after five-game series victories in the first round. The Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils, while the Capitals overcame the Montreal Canadiens. Key players include Sebastian Aho for Carolina and Dylan Strome for Washington.
Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights
- Time: 9:30 PM ET
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Overview: The Oilers, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, face the Golden Knights, who are coming off a six-game series win over the Minnesota Wild. Both teams split their regular-season series, setting the stage for a competitive matchup.
