The Maple Leafs defeated the Florida Panthers 5-4 in Game 1 of their second-round series in Toronto on Monday.
Toronto got off to a quick start thanks to two first-period goals from William Nylander, including one just 33 seconds into the game.
Seth Jones would get the Panthers back within one late in the first, but then Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly replied with a goal of his own to give Toronto a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.
Chris Tanev scored the lone goal in the second period to push the Maple Leafs’ lead to 4-1 heading to the third period.
It wasn’t all good news for the Maple Leafs on Monday, as starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz was forced to leave the game with an undisclosed injury midway through the second period and was replaced by Joseph Woll.
It’s unclear what caused Stolarz to leave the game, but he did receive a couple of blows to the head, including an elbow from Panthers forward Sam Bennett.
The Panthers took advantage of the goalie change at the start of the third, with two quick goals from Eetu Luostarinen and Uvis Balinskis and cut the lead to 4-3.
But a goal from Matthew Knies with six minutes remaining gave the Leafs some breathing room, and despite a late goal from Sam Bennett, they held on to take a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2 is set for Wednesday in Toronto and can be seen on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
