The Toronto Maple Leafs stayed alive with a 2-0 victory against the Florida Panthers Friday night that bodes well for their chances in Game 7.
Toronto bounced back from a 6-1 blowout loss in Game 5 with a strong defensive effort to end a three-game losing streak. Joseph Woll, who was pulled in Game 5, made 22 saves for his first career playoff shutout.
More important for the Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews found the back of the net. He broke a tie at 6:20 of the third period for his first career playoff goal against the Panthers in 11 games.
Max Pacioretty added an insurance goal and the Maple Leafs limited the Panthers to one shot in four power-play opportunities. They blocked 31 shots in the game to help Woll.
Game 7 will be in Toronto on Sunday (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT, truTV). If the Maple Leafs win, they will reach the conference final for the first time since 2002. The Panthers have gone to the third round the last two seasons.
‘We have to come out in Game 7 and do the same things we did tonight,’ Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube told reporters. ‘It’s not fancy. It’s just competing. It’s being direct. It’s simple hockey.’
Said Panthers coach Paul Maurice: ‘You don’t need a lot of extra coffee. You’ll be ready to go.’
USA TODAY provided live updates for Game 6 between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Highlights from the game:
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs highlights
Matthew Knies injury update
Knies, who absorbed a couple big hits, had limited ice time as the game wore on, including missing power-play time.
‘He’s dealing with something here that happened and we’ve got to look at him (Saturday) and see how he’s feeling,’ Berube said.
Game recap
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs final score: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0
Joseph Woll gets a 22-save shutout and Auston Matthews scores his first goal of the series. Max Pacioretty adds an insurance goal. We’re heading to Game 7 on Sunday.
Panthers timeout
1:48 left in the third.
Sergei Bobrovsky goes to bench
Panthers pull their goalie with about three minutes left. Carter Verhaeghe hits the side of the net on a good opportunity.
Panthers-Maple Leafs score: Max Pacioretty goal
Pacioretty wins a race to the net, takes a pass from Bobby McMann and beats Sergei Bobrovsky with a backhander at 14:17. Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0
Panthers go on power play
Brandon Carlo is called for hooking. Panthers 0-for-3 so far. Now 0-for-4 after Toronto prevents them from setting up in the zone. No shots in the last three power plays.
Panthers-Maple Leafs score: Auston Matthews goal
Matthews gets his first goal of the series after taking a pass from Mitch Marner, skating into the zone and taking a shot that eludes Sergei Bobrovsky at 6:20. Maple Leafs 1, Panthers 0
Third period underway
Still scoreless.
End of second period: Panthers 0, Maple Leafs 0
The Panthers flipped the script in that period, controlling play and outshooting Toronto 9-0 at one point. Toronto gets a few late power plays and shots finish up 12-6 for the period. Florida is outhitting Toronto 34-24 while the Maple Leafs lead in blocked shots 18-7.
Maple Leafs go on power play
Aaron Ekblad is called for interference. Florida kills the penalty.
Auston Matthews penalty
He high-sticks Aaron Ekblad. Going to 4-on-4. Now Florida on the power play. Carter Verhaeghe hits the post. Toronto kills it off.
Maple Leafs go on power play
Florida called for too many men on the ice. Auston Matthews out there. Toronto gets its first shot of the period.
Auston Matthews heads to dressing room
He gets hit in the face with a stick on a faceoff.
Another Panthers flurry
Shots 9-0 Florida in this period.
Panthers picking up play
They’re spending more time in the Toronto zone and have outshot the Maple Leafs 5-0 so far in the period.
Second period underway
Matthew Knies is on the ice after his first-period collision.
End of first period: Panthers 0, Maple Leafs 0
The Panthers don’t generate much offense, only two shots despite having two power plays. Toronto has seven shots, led by two from Pontus Holmberg, who’s back in the lineup. He also had a big hit on Brad Marchand. Hits are 16 apiece. Toronto’s Matthew Knies had a good chance but shot wide. But he looks to be in pain after a collision with Niko Mikkola.
Maple Leafs carrying play
Since killing the second penalty, the Maple Leafs have been carrying play. Sergei Bobrovsky has been busy. Shots are 7-2 Toronto.
Panthers go on power play
Oliver Ekman-Larsson trips Carter Verhaeghe. Penalty killed. No shots for Florida. Toronto gets some chances after killing the penalty.
Max Domi saves the day
The Toronto forward dives to knock away a rebound before Sam Reinhart can get to it.
Panthers go on power play
Simon Benoit is called for interference against A.J. Greer. Panthers power play is clicking at 23.5% in the playoffs. Florida gets a shot, but Toronto kills it off.
Game underway
Auston Matthews line vs. Eetu Luostarinen line
What time is Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 6?
Game 6 of the Panthers-Maple Leafs series will be at 8 p.m. ET in Sunrise, Florida.
How to watch Panthers vs. Maple Leafs playoff game: TV, stream
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida
TV: TNT, TruTV
Stream: Sling TV, Max
Panthers projected lineup
Maple Leafs projected lineup
Joseph Woll back in net
Joseph Woll will be back in Toronto’s net Friday after being pulled after Florida’s fifth goal on Wednesday.
“He’s been a good goalie for us all year,” Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said. “So I’m not worried about him.”
Woll has been in net since No. 1 goalie Anthony Stolarz was injured in Game 1 of the series.
Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews to stay together
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said Friday morning he would keep forwards Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews together for Game 6.
“I split them up at times this year and I felt like it didn’t really do anything, to be honest with you,” he told reporters. “These guys have been a combo for a long time and they’ve had a lot of success. I trust them. I believe in them.”
Maple Leafs lineup changes
Forwards David Kampf and Nick Robertson are expected to sit out after playing in Game 5. Pontus Holmberg and Calle Jarnkrok will go back in the lineup. Robertson scored the Maple Leafs’ lone goal in Game 5. Kampf was a minus-2.
No changes for Panthers lineup
The Panthers lineup will remain the same as it was for Game 5, coach Paul Maurice said.
Panthers’ Evan Rodrigues day-to-day
Injured Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues skated Friday but remains day-to-day.
“He had a pretty good push,” Maurice said. “We’re monitor him tomorrow and see where he’s at.”