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# Recap: Leafs win in a tight finish
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/recap-leafs-win-game-1-over-panthers/
- Published: 2025-05-06T02:47:33.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-06T02:47:33.000Z
- Description: They beat the bad Florida team of the first half and the good one of the second.
- Author: Cathy Squires
- Tags: Game Coverage, Maple Leafs Playoffs

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/05/GqOXzA9XsAAjT2X-1-.jpg)

### First Period

You don't get a better start than in this game.

> WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨  
>  
> 33 SECONDS IN! [pic.twitter.com/N5yFqKGioY](https://t.co/N5yFqKGioY?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919546416134857142?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> five-hole shot  
>  
> solid screen from Tavares [pic.twitter.com/XLtiItAiFo](https://t.co/XLtiItAiFo?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919547164532908215?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

**1-0 Leafs**

John Tavares came right back to try again.

> another chance for the second line [pic.twitter.com/sVXkcLgEgr](https://t.co/sVXkcLgEgr?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919547574010187784?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> first save of the night for Stolarz off the chin [pic.twitter.com/9MF4tJSgqA](https://t.co/9MF4tJSgqA?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919548450317750717?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Max Domi took a penalty for cross-checking Brad Marchand.

> this was a penalty!? [pic.twitter.com/HAdjrdG2TF](https://t.co/HAdjrdG2TF?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919549692670578983?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> [What is your recipe for weak sauce?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/6rogev/what%5Fis%5Fyour%5Frecipe%5Ffor%5Fweak%5Fsauce/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
> by  in [AskReddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) 

The Leafs PK was excellent and Anthony Stolarz didn't have to make a good save until after it was over. 

> McCabe dropped Kulikov [pic.twitter.com/oVsbnOAhzp](https://t.co/oVsbnOAhzp?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919551031718928594?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨🚨  
>  
> FIFTH OF THE PLAYOFFS! WHAT A GOAL! [pic.twitter.com/yGND4G6idx](https://t.co/yGND4G6idx?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919552495212216774?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> Paccioretty had a big hit on Barkov before the goal [pic.twitter.com/wXW2nglCf0](https://t.co/wXW2nglCf0?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919553081601139025?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

**2-0 Leafs**

Pontus Holmberg drew a holding call just by being himself. It was a good power play, and Nylander nearly got the hatty, but then the Leafs managed to do the too many men trick. Their classic. 

It was four-on-four for 47 seconds and then the Panthers were on the power play.

Seth Jones with the goal after what began as a very good PK.

> Seth Jones on the power play [pic.twitter.com/y7VHIjuTmi](https://t.co/y7VHIjuTmi?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919554577117946285?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

**2-1 Leafs**

Nineteen seconds later Morgan Rielly decided to shoot on the two-on-one, and that was the correct choice.

> 3rd of the playoffs for Captain Morgan [pic.twitter.com/omLEvVwCF6](https://t.co/omLEvVwCF6?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919555660330520656?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

**3-1 Leafs**

Sergei Bobrovsky with a couple of good saves late in the game.

Jake McCabe went to the locker room a few minutes early. But it might not have been anything much: 

> Jake McCabe lost a skate blade towards the end of the period [pic.twitter.com/pfJg2REQRh](https://t.co/pfJg2REQRh?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919557681179664664?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

A lot happened in this period. Very little of it was Florida shooting the puck.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/05/20242025-30211-all.png)

Leafs dominated in all varieties of shots, and in quality. 

### Second Period

McCabe was on the job as normal to open the second.

The fourth line drew a penalty early and the Leafs with their second power play.

> Balinskis is called for hooking [pic.twitter.com/fy8XpeoHrR](https://t.co/fy8XpeoHrR?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919561486608814494?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Tavares nearly got a goal, but instead Holmberg took a penalty for shoving Jones into the Panthers' net. 

> Holmberg is called for interference [pic.twitter.com/SB6p9sSCdN](https://t.co/SB6p9sSCdN?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919562665409540211?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Not the greatest power play by the Leafs. Sam Bennett knocked into Stolarz's head at the end of it. He is who he is, and will never change. Not least because no penalty was called.

> Bennett catches Stolarz in the head [pic.twitter.com/AorFonA398](https://t.co/AorFonA398?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919563503930679547?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Chris Tanev with a classic PK defender goal. 

> CHRIS TANEV 🚨  
>  
> THE KNUCKLE BOUNCER [pic.twitter.com/ChuszWWhEB](https://t.co/ChuszWWhEB?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919564444432003176?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

**4-1 Leafs**

Tavares drew a penalty on Alex Barkov. This is first-round level of power-play time being handed out. 

Joe Woll came in on the next TV timeout just before the power play was to being. Possibility of a concussion spotter at work. You know, from the hit that wasn't penalized.

Max Domi was suddenly on the first power-play unit, but it appeared he was just subbing in for William Nylander who had been on the ice prior to it starting. 

Woll with some comfortable saves after the power play was over. 

> Woll's looking steady [pic.twitter.com/EIdJ7crJMu](https://t.co/EIdJ7crJMu?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919566989862793677?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> I would've went Super Saiyan 3 if Matthews scored here after obliterating Jones [pic.twitter.com/13rYKclMwS](https://t.co/13rYKclMwS?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919568738661065053?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Pontus Holmberg with a late chance, and he took a huge hit. 

> Holmberg drives the net, takes the hit and gets right back up [pic.twitter.com/VvnPpifFKY](https://t.co/VvnPpifFKY?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919570179068928097?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

A great period. The Leafs did not let Florida do anything much, and they were getting at the net more than they have in this playoffs or last time vs Florida. 

Florida had a couple of flurries of puck dominance and ended the period way ahead in Corsi. They did not do much quality shooting, however: 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/05/20242025-30211-5v5.png)

The word on Stolarz is that about 10 minutes after the hit to his head, he was vomiting at the bench, and that's when Woll came in. No pull from a spotter, so no warmup for Woll. 

### Third Period

Joe Woll stayed in for the third period. Leafs said Stolarz was being evaluated. Dennis Hildeby became the backup. In the playoffs, teams are allowed to designate a third goalie.

The Florida third line scored early up against the Leafs fourth line. Florida is barely playing their fourth line.

> Eetu Luostarainen cuts the lead in half [pic.twitter.com/LuNvj6Xfog](https://t.co/LuNvj6Xfog?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919575325077299432?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

**4-2 Leafs**

The Florida number seven defender scores. 

> Balinskis makes it a one-goal game [pic.twitter.com/m3zvgVzrK6](https://t.co/m3zvgVzrK6?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919576469040230482?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

**4-3 Leafs**

Florida on a roll here, skating fast and playing hard. Craig Berube called a timeout.

> Berube the timeout   
>  
> "We're fine" [pic.twitter.com/ZDYPhizO04](https://t.co/ZDYPhizO04?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919576936948396303?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Bennett goes off for holding. 

The Leafs had a lot of zone time on the power play, but Florida matched them with an effective PK.

Florida with another strong fllurry. This is a totally different game.

Leafs with a rush chance, and you know if Mo had connected on that pass... sometimes you just don't though.

Niko Mikkola went off for roughing on Calle Järnkrok in one of the most dangerous places on the ice. 

> Mikkola is called for roughing [pic.twitter.com/XDa1yh9tyb](https://t.co/XDa1yh9tyb?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919579564201648341?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Matt Knies came out with a two-defender second unit, and he succeeds at his net-front job, but Bobrovsky made the save. Florida killed that power play as well.

Seven minutes left after the power play.

Excellent rush by McMann and Domi, a play created by Domi with a huge hit on Matthew Tkachuk. Bobrovsky again with the save. 

> what a rush from Domi and McMann [pic.twitter.com/bW1lSZFTPj](https://t.co/bW1lSZFTPj?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919581003049218374?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Matt Knies! Breakaway glory. 

> huge play from Marner to advance the puck   
>  
> Knies finishes it [pic.twitter.com/ZulaOE2Lp5](https://t.co/ZulaOE2Lp5?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919582524512076280?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

**5-3 Leafs**

Bobrovsky out of the net with just under three minutes to go.

Bennett scores on a double deflection.

> Sam Bennett makes it 5-4 off some deflections [pic.twitter.com/pGRPq7qcgt](https://t.co/pGRPq7qcgt?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919584331552444885?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

**5-4 Leafs**

Florida took their timeout.

Leafs can clear at the end, but never got near the empty net. 

Leafs win Game 1!