Panthers Clamp Down, Blank Leafs to Even Series at 2-2

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers once again leaned on their tried-and-true playoff recipe — grab the lead, then let Sergei Bobrovsky and a suffocating defense slam the door shut.

It worked to perfection Sunday night.

Bobrovsky turned away all 23 shots he faced, backstopping the Panthers to a 2-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With the win, Florida drew even in the series at two games apiece and preserved a remarkable streak — they’ve now won 25 straight playoff games when leading after two periods, a stretch that dates back to 2022.

“It’s a series,” Bobrovsky said after the game. “It’s going to come down to the next few games. We’re ready for the challenge.”

The Panthers controlled the pace from the opening faceoff, outshooting Toronto 21-5 in the first period alone. They broke through on their fourth power play of the night when Matthew Tkachuk zipped a pinpoint pass through traffic to Carter Verhaeghe, who blasted it past Joseph Woll to give Florida a 1-0 lead.

Woll was outstanding in net for Toronto, making 35 saves and keeping his team afloat through long stretches of pressure. But Florida wasn’t done. With just under eight minutes left in regulation, Sam Bennett cashed in with an insurance goal after dragging the puck across the crease and stuffing it past a committed Woll.

“That was more like the type of Panthers playoff hockey that we’re used to,” said Bennett.

As the game wore on and tensions flared, tempers boiled over in the third. A controversial hit by Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Evan Rodrigues was initially called a major but downgraded to a minor after review. Rodrigues is expected to undergo further evaluation.

In the final seconds, a flurry of misconducts were handed out — Toronto’s Max Domi for boarding Aleksander Barkov, along with Bobby McMann, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand (celebrating his 37th birthday) all ejected in the final scrum.

Game 5 shifts back to Toronto on Wednesday night, where home ice has dictated the outcome so far. But with momentum swinging Florida’s way and Bobrovsky in vintage form, the Panthers are proving once again they’re built for this time of year.

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