Maple Leafs Topple Panthers

     The Toronto Maple Leafs topped the Florida Panthers 2-1 in a shootout on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena. The Cats continued their three-game road swing. It was the first time that the Panthers played in Toronto since they eliminated them in the second round of 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

     Florida(13-7-21) had a 1-0 lead with 4:31 to go in the first period. Kevin Stenlund got his career-tying sixth goal of this season when he snapped a shot from the left of the crease. Jonah Gadjovich collected his first point in a Panthers uniform. 

     Toronto(11-6-3) tied it 1-1 with 7:06 remaining in the second period. Noah Gregor raced through the left circle and released a wrist shot from the top of the crease for his third tally of the year. The third period and overtime were scoreless for both clubs. 

     In the shootout, the Leafs converted in the second round by Auston Matthews on a backhand. The Cats avoided the defeat in the third round when Sam Reinhart put in a snap shot to the top shelf of the cage. Gregor gave Toronto the victory in the sixth round.