The Florida Panthers, the defending champions, are staring down a do-or-die Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Friday’s game was a wake-up call. After a flat 2-0 loss in Game 6 at home, you’d think the Panthers might be rattled. But Matthew Tkachuk? He’s grinning, ready for the challenge.

The Panthers looked lifeless in the first period, mustering just two shots on goal. They sparked to life in the second, peppering Toronto’s Joseph Woll with nine shots in a flurry that had the Sunrise crowd roaring. But the energy fizzled. Florida went 0-for-4 on the power play, and Auston Matthews, who had not scored an NHL playoff goal against Florida in 11 games, broke the tie in the third. Max Pacioretty sealed it, and Woll’s 22 saves earned him his first playoff shutout.

Toronto’s desperation was palpable—they’d just been smoked 6-1 in Game 5. That loss lit a fire, and they played like a team with nothing to lose. For Florida, it was a rare off-night. “It seems like we play in a big Game 7 every year, so maybe this is that game,” Matthew Tkachuk said after the game, as tweeted by Jameson Olive, Sr. Digital Content Manager for Panthers on ‘X’, making his confidence practically contagious.

“We were down 2-0 in this series, so we would’ve loved a Game 7 and this opportunity,” Tkachuk said, shrugging off the defeat. “We’re not going to sit here and pout about it. It’s an opportunity to make a name for ourselves again. We enjoy these games and enjoy these moments.” The stakes? A ticket to the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes is on the line. History’s on Florida’s side—they’re 3-1 in Game 7s, including 2-0 on the road, with wins in Pittsburgh (1996) and Boston (2023). Toronto, meanwhile, is 12-15 in Game 7s, 7-3 at home, but they’ve dropped six straight, with their last win coming in 2004 against Ottawa.

Now, the Panthers head to Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena for Game 7 on Sunday. For the Maple Leafs, a win would mark their first conference final since 2002. For the Panthers, it’s a chance to keep their third-round streak alive after back-to-back appearances. Tkachuk will be looking back up his words with some hockey, and he’s certainly going to play mind games (perhaps successfully this time). But then, again, if the past records suggest anything, it’s that the Cats won’t be overly dependent on Tkachuk.

Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers accomplished a feat after three decades in the NHL

The Florida Panthers are rewriting their story, and it’s a thrilling one. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, they steamrolled the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 at Scotiabank Arena, snagging a 3-2 series lead. The scoreline screams dominance, but here’s the wild part: none of the big guns—Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, or Carter Verhaeghe—scored a single goal. Yet, the Panthers still pulled off something the NHL hasn’t seen in over three decades.

This isn’t the same Florida franchise that went over 20 years without a playoff series win. These Cats are a juggernaut, with a star-studded roster that’s the envy of the league. But what makes them truly terrifying? It’s not just Tkachuk’s grit or Barkov’s finesse—it’s their depth. In their 6-1 rout, the goals came from unexpected corners, showcasing a lineup where every line can strike. Through 10 games in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Florida’s had 17 different skaters light the lamp. That’s a feat not seen since the 1993 Los Angeles Kings. Let that sink in.

The Panthers’ secret sauce is their relentless style—aggressive forechecking, creative plays in tight spaces, and an ability to produce no matter who’s on the ice. It’s why they’re a nightmare to face when they’re clicking. Game 5 was a masterclass in that depth, proving Florida doesn’t need their stars to dominate.

Now, with the series shifting back to Amerant Bank Arena, the Panthers have a chance to seal the deal and avoid a do-or-die Game 7 in Toronto. The Cats are rolling, and if they keep this up, they’re not just chasing a series win—they’re chasing history. Can they close it out? Buckle up, because this team’s not slowing down.