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NHL Makes Major Change to Maple Leafs-Panthers Playoff Series

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated May 15, 2025 11:44 AM ET

The Florida Panthers have won three straight games against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs, taking a 3-2 series lead. Despite going down 2-0 to start the series, the Panthers haven't flinched and now sit one win from advancing back to the Eastern Conference Final.

Florida was able to shut down the Maple Leafs' offense in Game 5, winning 6-1 on the road. It was an impressive showing for the defending champions, and they showed a lot of poise in the contest.

The NHL has now announced the start time for Game 6 between the two sides. Game 6 will take place on Friday, May 16, at 8 p.m. ET.

The start time for Game 6 of Maple Leafs and Panthers has been set for 8 p.m. ET on Friday in Sunrise.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) May 15, 2025

Florida will be looking to close out the series at home, but the team knows that it won't be easy. Toronto will be coming out with a sense of desperation to avoid elimination, so the Panthers will need to bring the focus from the opening puck drop.

“Getting the first [goal] was important,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said . “I thought it flatlined a little bit after that for us. And then probably where the game doesn’t break is Sergei Bobrovsky. Two or three breakaways tonight. I think he was the pivot point in the way that game went.”

If the Panthers can close this series out in Game 6, it would be an impressive comeback against a tough Maple Leafs team. But if they fail to do so, they will be heading back to Toronto for a win-or-go-home Game 7 matchup.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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