Matthew Tkachuk scored three points as the Florida Panthers topped the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Panthers opened the scoring halfway through the first as Nick Cousins buried his first goal and Sam Bennett, who returned from a lower-body injury in Game 2 against the Boston Bruins, doubling the lead in the second period.
The Maple Leafs were able to battle back from the two-goal deficit after Matthew Knies scored his first NHL goal and Michael Bunting scored his first of the playoffs. The Panthers, however, showed off their grit and determination, powering back to restore the two-goal lead late in the third period.
With the net empty and on a four-minute power play for high-sticking, the Maple Leafs unleashed an onslaught of offence with the clock ticking down — nearly bringing the game within one on a few occasions — but Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky stood on his head and held the Maple Leafs to two goals on 34 shots.
The Maple Leafs and the Panthers will face off for Game 2 in Scotiabank Arena on Thursday, May 4. Watch the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
More to come.
