Quick strikes help Panthers top Leafs in Game 2

Aleksander Barkov John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Record-quick strikes help Panthers stun Leafs in Game 2

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/4/23

The Florida Panthers used two goals over the first 1:06 of the second period to stun the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-2, in Game 2 on Thursday, taking a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven second-round series.

Trailing the Leafs 2-1 after one period, Aleksander Barkov and Gustav Forsling scored 47 seconds apart, propelling Florida to the victory while setting a franchise mark for the fastest pair of goals in a postseason game.

The Panthers strike back in the 2nd period, erasing the deficit and taking the lead with 2 goals in the first 1:06 of the period.

The two goals were separated by just 47 seconds, the fastest 2 goals at any time in Panthers playoff history. pic.twitter.com/9ZXLHtyPzj
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 5, 2023

Florida tied the game 19 ticks into the second when Barkov wristed one past Ilya Samsonov's outstretched glove, setting the Panthers' record for the fastest playoff goal in a period, per NHL PR.

Sasha Barkov ties things up at two early in the second. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/mk8HI4wecI
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2023

Only 47 seconds later, Forsling buried the go-ahead goal off a beautiful cross-ice pass from Matthew Tkachuk to give Florida the lead for good.

Gustav Forsling snipes one to give the Panthers their first lead of the night.

3-2 Florida.

(Via: @NHL_On_TNT) pic.twitter.com/4L4swuNqO5
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 5, 2023

Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky took control from that point onward. After turning away 34 shots in Game 1, Bobrovsky was outstanding again on Thursday, saving 35-of-37 shot attempts while improving to 4-1 with a 3.58 GAA this postseason.

The Panthers' quick-attack victory in Game 2 gave them a pair of wins on road ice to open the series, which will shift to Sunrise for Games 3 and 4.

Following a dramatic come-from-behind win in Round 1 against the vaunted Boston Bruins, the Panthers have done well to ward off any chances of an early let-down against the Leafs. Florida has now won five straight playoff games and shows no sign of slowing down as they look to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for only the second time in their 29-year franchise history.

Florida will look to take a commanding 3-0 series advantage when they host Toronto for Game 3 on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

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