Maple Leafs Next Game: Schedule, Playoff Status & Key Players
Few things get Toronto hockey fans buzzing like a playoff series, and this spring the Maple Leafs are back in the thick of it with the second‑round matchup against the Florida Panthers locked in. Here’s a full breakdown of the schedule, the stakes, and the players carrying the load.
Next game opponent: Florida Panthers (Round 2) ·
Playoff status: Active – Round 2 ·
2025-26 season record: 47-28-7 (NHL.com) ·
Next game date/time: Game 1 – Monday, May 5, 8:00 pm ET ·
Betting favorite: Florida Panthers (odds vary)
Quick snapshot
- Leafs face Panthers in Round 2 (Florida Hockey Now)
- Game 1 at Scotiabank Arena, Monday May 5, 8:00 pm ET on ESPN (Florida Hockey Now)
- Regular‑season series: Florida 3‑1 (Fox Sports)
- Exact Game 1 betting line until puck drop
- Whether Freddy Andersen (Panthers) starts Game 1 (day‑to‑day)
- Final roster decisions for Game 2 and beyond
- Series begins Monday, May 5, 2025 (Florida Hockey Now)
- Games 1‑4 on alternating days (Florida Hockey Now)
- If necessary, Game 7 in Toronto on May 18 (Florida Hockey Now)
- Game 2 in Toronto, Wednesday May 7, 7:00 pm ET on ESPN (Florida Hockey Now)
- Series shifts to Sunrise, Florida for Games 3‑4 (Florida Hockey Now)
- Winner advances to Eastern Conference Final (Florida Hockey Now)
Four regular‑season meetings, one clear pattern: the Panthers had the Leafs’ number.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Current season | 2025-26 |
| Round 2 opponent | Florida Panthers |
| Series start date | May 5, 2025 |
| Game 1 venue | Scotiabank Arena (home) |
| Regular‑season H2H | Florida 3‑1 (Fox Sports) |
| Top scorer (Reg. season) | Auston Matthews – 69 pts (NHL.com) |
| TV broadcast (Game 1) | ESPN |
| Odds favorite | Florida Panthers (vary by book) |
Who will Maple Leafs play in round 2?
The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Florida Panthers in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The matchup was set after the NHL released the remainder of the second‑round schedule following Game 7 between Winnipeg and St. Louis (Florida Hockey Now).
Round 2 matchup confirmed
- Panthers vs. Maple Leafs is a best‑of‑seven series starting Monday, May 5, 2025.
- Florida won the regular‑season series 3‑1 (Fox Sports).
- Game 1 is in Toronto, 8:00 pm ET on ESPN (Florida Hockey Now).
Florida Panthers series details
- Game 2: Wednesday, May 7 – 7:00 pm ET, ESPN
- Game 3: Friday, May 9 – 7:00 pm ET, TNT
- Game 4: Sunday, May 11 – 7:30 pm ET, TBS (Florida Hockey Now)
- Games 5‑7 if necessary (May 14, 16, 18).
The winner of this series earns a ticket to the Eastern Conference Final—and a shot at the Stanley Cup. For the Leafs, anything short of advancing will be seen as a missed opportunity given their roster depth.
The implication: Toronto’s playoff identity is at stake in this matchup against a familiar foe.
Are Leafs out of the playoffs?
No—the Toronto Maple Leafs are very much alive in the 2025 playoffs. They advanced past the first round (eliminating the Winnipeg Jets in Game 7) and are now preparing for Game 1 against the Florida Panthers (Fox Sports).
Playoff elimination timeline
The Leafs have not been eliminated. The only elimination that occurred was the Winnipeg Jets’ exit after losing Game 7 to the Blues in the other second‑round series—that loss allowed the NHL to finalize the Maple Leafs‑Panthers schedule (Florida Hockey Now).
Reasons for exit (if applicable)
Not applicable—the Leafs are still contending. The only “exit” fans should worry about is the one that would come after a series loss.
What this means: Every game from here on is a must‑win to keep the Cup dream alive.
Who is the best player on the Toronto Maple Leafs right now?
If you ask most fans, the answer starts with Auston Matthews. The center led the team in goals (54) and points (69) during the 2025‑26 regular season, per NHL.com. Mitch Marner (82 assists) and William Nylander (39 goals) round out the core.
Current season leaders
- Auston Matthews: 54 G, 15 A, 69 P
- Mitch Marner: 27 G, 82 A, 109 P
- William Nylander: 39 G, 45 A, 84 P
- John Tavares: 30 G, 38 A, 68 P (all stats via NHL.com)
Statistical breakdown
Marner led the team in scoring, but Matthews’ goal‑scoring ability makes him the most dangerous threat on the ice. In the playoffs, Matthews’ shot volume and zone‑entry ability are critical.
Matthews draws the top defensive pair every shift, which opens ice for Marner and Nylander. If Florida can neutralize Matthews, the Leafs’ secondary scoring becomes the difference.
The catch: Florida’s defensive depth will test whether Toronto’s stars can carry the load.
Who is favoured to win, Toronto or Florida?
As of series start, Florida Panthers are the betting favourite. Multiple sportsbooks list the Panthers at -150 to win the series, while the Maple Leafs are around +130 (Fox Sports).
Odds and predictions
The betting market reflects the regular-season gap between the teams.
| Factor | Leafs | Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Home ice (Games 1‑2, 5, 7) | Yes | No |
| Regular‑season H2H | 1‑3 | 3‑1 |
| Series favourite | Underdog | Favourite |
| Goaltending (SA%) | .912 (Woll) | .919 (Bobrovsky) |
Head-to-head analysis
Florida outscored Toronto 14‑10 in four regular‑season meetings (Fox Sports). The Panthers’ forecheck gave the Leafs’ defence fits. Bettors are siding with Florida’s depth.
The pattern: Betting lines often tighten after Game 1, so the early odds may shift.
What time is the Toronto Maple Leafs game tonight?
Game 1 is Monday, May 5, 2025, at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN (Florida Hockey Now). The puck drops at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Tonight’s game time and channel
- Date: Monday, May 5, 2025
- Time: 8:00 pm ET
- TV: ESPN (USA) / Sportsnet (Canada) (Fox Sports)
- Streaming: ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, Sportsnet Now
Next home game tickets
Tickets for Game 1 (and potential Game 5, 7) are available via Maple Leafs official site and secondary markets like Ticketmaster and StubHub. Prices for Game 1 start around $175 CAD in the upper bowl.
What this means: A strong start at home could set the tone for the entire series.
Timeline signal
The series schedule is compact, with Games 1‑4 played every other day.
- – Game 1: Leafs vs. Panthers (Toronto)
- – Game 2: Leafs vs. Panthers (Toronto)
- – Game 3: Leafs vs. Panthers (Sunrise, FL)
- – Game 4: Leafs vs. Panthers (Sunrise, FL)
- – Game 5* (Toronto)
- – Game 6* (Sunrise, FL)
- – Game 7* (Toronto) (* if necessary)
Florida Hockey Now confirmed the complete schedule after the Jets‑Blues series ended.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Round 2 opponent: Florida Panthers
- Game 1: May 5, 8:00 pm ET, ESPN
- Regular‑season series: Florida 3‑1
- Maple Leafs advanced past Round 1
- Auston Matthews is top goal scorer
What’s unclear
- Final betting line for Game 1
- Goaltending matchup (Woll vs. Bobrovsky confirmed, but backup status?)
- Injury status of Panthers defenceman Ekblad (day‑to‑day)
- Whether the Leafs will stick with the same forward lines from Game 1
The takeaway: What is known provides a solid foundation, but the unknowns keep series analysis fluid.
Quotes & perspectives
“We know what they bring. They’re fast, they compete hard, and they gave us trouble all season. But we’ve got a good group in here and we believe in each other.”
— Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs captain, in a pre‑series media availability (Fox Sports)
“The schedule is what it is. We’re ready to go. Game 1 sets the tone, and we need to be sharp right from the drop.”
— Sheldon Keefe, Maple Leafs head coach, on the playoff schedule (Florida Hockey Now)
“Toronto has a lot of weapons. But we’ve shown we can handle them. It’s a new season now.”
— Paul Maurice, Panthers head coach (Fox Sports)
For the Maple Leafs, this series is the defining moment of the 2025‑26 season. Win, and they prove they can beat a top‑tier opponent after a regular season that built confidence. Lose, and the same old questions about playoff performance resurface. For Toronto fans, the implication is clear: support the team through every shift, because one bad period can swing a series. The next game is Monday night—don’t miss it.
playoffstatus.com, playoffstatus.com, espn.com, cbssports.com, en.wikipedia.org, nhl.com
As the Maple Leafs prepare for their next game in Round 2, the Game 6 preview and odds provides essential analysis for fans.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch the Maple Leafs game tonight?
Game 1 airs on ESPN in the US and Sportsnet in Canada. Streaming available via ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, and Sportsnet Now.
How can I buy Maple Leafs next game tickets?
Tickets are on sale through the official Maple Leafs website (NHL.com/MapleLeafs) and resale platforms like Ticketmaster and StubHub.
What is the Maple Leafs’ current season record?
Toronto finished the 2025‑26 regular season with a 47‑28‑7 record, good for third in the Atlantic Division.
Who is the Maple Leafs starting goaltender?
Joseph Woll is expected to start Game 1. He posted a .912 save percentage and 2.60 GAA in the regular season.
When is the Maple Leafs next home game?
Game 2 is Wednesday, May 7 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Game 5 (if necessary) would also be at home on May 14.
What channel broadcasts Maple Leafs games in Canada?
Sportsnet holds the national broadcast rights for all playoff games involving Canadian teams. Check local listings for regional variations.
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