Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Watch: Maple Leafs strike back 19 seconds after Panthers goal for 3-1 lead

By Eric Smithling | Last updated May 5, 2025 9:45 PM ET

Just as the Florida Panthers got back into Game 1 of their East second-round series, the Toronto Maple Leafs put them back in a two-goal deficit.

The Panthers trailed 2-0 when defenseman Seth Jones scored his second goal of the Stanley Cup playoffs on a power play with three minutes and three seconds remaining in the first period.

SETH JONES GETS THE PANTHERS ON THE BOARD pic.twitter.com/tRoffmKwSG
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 6, 2025

However, the game didn't stay close for long, as Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly scored 19 seconds later to re-establish the two-goal lead at 3-1.

MORGAN RIELLY ANSWERS RIGHT BACK FOR THE LEAFS pic.twitter.com/gkR2yC9hgR
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 6, 2025

Maple Leafs forward William Nylander notched an assist on Rielly's goal, giving Nylander three first-period points. He also scored the game's first two goals.

WILLIAM NYLANDER OPENS THE SCORING 33 SECONDS INTO THE SERIES‼️ pic.twitter.com/CeqsugcSux
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 6, 2025

WILLIAM NYLANDER DOUBLES DOWN #StanleyCup

: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/y5R4rNfUrV
— NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2025

Toronto entered the Stanley Cup playoffs with the Atlantic's best record (52-26-4), but it's the underdog against the Panthers (47-31-4) in this series.

Per ESPN, before Game 1, the Panthers (-175) were tied with the Hurricanes for the largest second-round series favorite.

Toronto looked the part of the division's best team in Game 1 by keeping Florida at arm's length.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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