Toronto Maple Leafs defeat Florida Panthers 5-3
The Leafs were able to rally for a big win Thursday night in Florida.
This is Toronto’s second win in a row, with both wins coming on the road.
With Toronto in a tight playoff race coming down the stretch, every game counts and the young Leafs came up big Thursday night.
Florida started the game out strong taking a 3-1 lead early in the first period; but Toronto would respond late in the period tying the game up 3-3 heading into the second.
The Leafs and Panthers would both clamped down defensively in the scoreless second period after a high scoring first.
With the score still tied up in the third, William Nylander scored his second game winning goal in two games.
Scoring his 29th goal of the year Nylander put the Leafs ahead 4-3.
Justin Holl would add an empty net goal late making the final score 5-3.
Fredrik Andersen got the start for the Leafs again tonight, saving 24 of the 27 shots he faced posting a .889 save percentage.
Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky got the start in net, saving 24 of the 28 shots he faced posting a.857 save percentage.
Goal scorers for Toronto were Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapane, Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Justin Holl.
Goal scorers for the Panthers were Mark Pysyk ,Mike Hoffman, Noel Acciari.
With the win the Leafs now hold a four point lead over the Panthers in the Atlantic Division.
Every win will count down the stretch and these wins over division opponents will matter greatly in the end.
The Leafs will look to extend their lead in the Atlantic on Saturday night when they take on the Vancouver Canucks.
Puck drop is 7pm EST.
