William Nylander was the star of the night, scoring two goals early in the first period and assisting on another as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Florida Panthers 5-4. The game marked the start of their second-round playoff series, with Toronto hoping to avenge last year's playoff exit against the same team. Matthew Knies and Chris Tanev also contributed with a goal and assist each, while Morgan Rielly added another goal. The Maple Leafs built a 5-3 lead before holding off a late surge from Florida, who had goals from Seth Jones, Eetu Luostarinen, Uvis Balinskis, and Sam Bennett, bringing the score close.

Toronto's Anthony Stolarz left the game due to injury, leading to Joseph Woll stepping in as goalie. Despite strong performances from players like Brad Marchand and Carter Verhaeghe for the Panthers, Toronto's defense held firm, especially late in the game. The series will continue with Game 2 at the Scotiabank Arena.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson returns to the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup just in time for the playoffs, ready to face the Ottawa Senators in Game 1. After missing the last four regular-season games due to an undisclosed injury, his presence is expected to bolster a Leafs team eager for postseason success. Coach Craig Berube praised Ekman-Larsson's versatility, noting his importance in multiple situations including power play and penalty kill.

Having recently won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, Ekman-Larsson brings valuable experience to a franchise that has struggled historically in the playoffs. The team aims to break an eight-year streak of first-round exits and their matchup against Ottawa marks the first playoff Battle of Ontario since 2004. With players like Jake McCabe returning alongside Ekman-Larsson, the Leafs are poised to make a strong statement in their quest for the Cup.

The Maple Leafs gear up for their playoff opener against the Ottawa Senators with key players returning to the lineup, notably defenceman Jake McCabe, who missed the last seven games. Coach Craig Berube emphasized the importance of having a full practice for the team’s cohesion. McCabe feels that coming back after a break gives him 'fresher legs,' which could be pivotal for his role as part of the shutdown duo alongside Chris Tanev.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson also returns after missing some games, adding depth and experience to the blue line. His added playoff experience, having secured a cup with the Florida Panthers, could provide a strategic advantage against the less seasoned Senators. Meanwhile, the forward lineup remains unchanged, with Max Domi, John Tavares, and William Nylander leading the charge, supported by veterans Max Pacioretty, David Kämpf, and Ryan Reaves, all of whom bring critical playoff experience to the table.