Game Highlights

Marchand’s winning goal came at 15:27 of overtime, striking Toronto’s Morgan Rielly before finding its way past goalie Joseph Woll. This match featured an unusual number of deflections, with four goals—two from each side—altered by opposing players before crossing the line.

Florida saw notable contributions from players including Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, and Jonah Gadjovich, while goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves. The Panthers are now an impressive 13-2 in their last 15 playoff overtime matches.

Maple Leafs’ Performance

For Toronto, John Tavares netted two goals, accompanied by contributions from Matthew Knies and Rielly. Woll recorded 32 saves but faced a relentless Panthers offense.

Coach Craig Berube commented on the game, noting, “Overtime, we had our opportunities. It’s a bounce. That’s what happens in overtime a lot of times.”

Game Dynamics

Florida managed to overcome deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 during the game, showcasing their resilience against a team that previously had a remarkable record when leading. The Maple Leafs had been 30-3-0 when ahead after the first period and had won 44 games when leading by two goals or more this season.

Marchand, who has never lost a playoff series to Toronto during his career, stated, “It’s one second of a game… The details that go into making those plays happen is where the work is done.”

Critical Goals and Turning Points

The game’s turning point came as Reinhart’s goal reignited Florida’s hopes. Initially thought to be covered by Woll, a review revealed the puck had crossed the line, spurring Florida’s comeback. Subsequent goals from Verhaeghe and Gadjovich rallied the team, giving them a brief 4-3 lead before Rielly tied it again in the third period.