The Toronto Maple Leafs forced Game 7 against the Florida Panthers on Friday night. The Panthers had a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third straight year. However, they failed to score a goal in this contest, however. And they now need to win a Game 7 on the road to move on.

The Maple Leafs got a goal from Auston Matthews in the third period to get things going. From there, Max Pacioretty doubled the lead and put the finishing touches on a 2-0 victory. Toronto has not advanced to the East Final since 2002 against the Carolina Hurricanes, who await the winner of this series.

Pacioretty has been around the league for a long time. He came close to the Stanley Cup Final a few times. However, he failed to make it that far. This Game 7 puts him a step closer to making the Final, and it's not a chance he or his teammates are willing to waste. “We're going to war,” the Maple Leafs forward said of Game 7 on Friday night, via The Athletic's Chris Johnston.

Maple Leafs show resilience on brink of elimination

Article Continues Below
More Maple Leafs News
Featured image Mitch Marners
Maple Leafs rumors: Toronto discussing Mitch Marner sign-and-trade with Golden KnightsDylan Fine ·
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) looks on against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game six of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena.
Grading John Tavares’ $17.52 million Maple Leafs contract extensionSteve Silverman ·
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) adjusts his helmet after a play against the Florida Panthers during the first period of game seven of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena.
Mitch Marner will test free agency, says Maple Leafs GMGuillermo Guajardo ·
Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) during warm up before game seven of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena.
John Tavares announces $17.52 million contract extension with LeafsColin Gallant ·
Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) pursues the play against the Boston Bruins in the third period in game six of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena.
Leafs rumors: Pierre LeBrun ‘not as confident’ John Tavares re-signs in TorontoBen Strauss ·
New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) skates against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Madison Square Garden.
2 best trade destinations for Rangers’ Mika ZibanejadTristin McKinstry ·
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) talks with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (95), defenseman Morgan Rielly (44), left wing Matthew Knies (23) and right wing Mitch Marner (16) against the Florida Panthers during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena.
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Maple Leafs have had an issue in elimination games in the past. It did not matter whether Toronto had the lead or not. If one team could be eliminated, this team had trouble closing things out or extending the series. This season, though, has been a bit different.

The Maple Leafs eliminated the Ottawa Senators in six games after losing Games 4 and 5. In this series, Toronto had a 2-0 series lead over the Panthers. However, Florida went on to win three straight games. Game 6 saw Toronto drop the contest by the score of 6-0 in front of their home fans.

Toronto did not look its best for much of Game 6, to be fair. When it mattered most, though, this team found a way through. They certainly gained a step following Matthews' marker in the third period. If they can carry this momentum into Game 7, Toronto could very well head to the Eastern Conference Finals and end the Panthers' Stanley Cup defense.