Tonight will have a pivotal Game 7 between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida is seeking a third consecutive Eastern Conference Final while Toronto is looking to make its first ECF since 2002. The Carolina Hurricanes await the winner of this series with Game 1 starting on Tuesday.
Let’s take a look at some news and notes ahead of Game 7 between the showdown between the Panthers and Leafs.
Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7 Notebook
Leafs Rolling With Woll in Game 7
Toronto is going with Joseph Woll in between the pipes in Game 7. Woll made 22 saves in the Maple Leafs’ 2-0 Game 6 victory in Sunrise, Fla. The 26-year-old has been pressed into service with Anthony Stolarz exiting Game 1 with concussion-like symptoms.
The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel reported that Stolarz has been officially ruled out for Game 7. This will be the sixth straight game that Stolarz will miss and Matt Murray will be the backup for Woll in this pivotal game.
Anthony Stolarz didn’t take part in the Leafs morning skate on Sunday.
It appears that Matt Murray will again back up Joseph Woll in Game 7.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 18, 2025
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Elimination games are always pressure-packed, but Woll has been solid in these types of games. The Missouri native is 4-1 in elimination games since 2023, but the pressure will be even higher with this being a Game 7.
Panthers Get a Lineup Boost
Florida got some good news ahead of Game 7. Evan Rodrigues has been cleared and will return to lineup for Game 7. This news comes from TVA Sports Renaud Lavoie.
Evan Rodrigues IN, Jesper Boqvist OUT vs @MapleLeafs @FlaPanthers @TVASports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) May 18, 2025
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The veteran forward exited Game 4 after a high-high hit from defenceman Oliver-Ekman Larsson. Rodrigues seems to be back and he’ll replace Jesper Boqvist. However, Boqvist was productive during his time in the lineup.
The 31-year-old has three assists in nine postseason games. However, he is an important part of the Panthers’ lineup.
Toronto Forward Also A-Go for Game 7
Toronto also go some good news ahead Game 7 with Matthew Knies being cleared to play without restriction. Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube said Knies will be ready to go for Game 7 after he took the morning skate.
There had been some concern that the former University of Minnesota product wouldn’t play. However, the top-line winger will play through whatever pain he has.
Knies suffered some discomfort after getting a reverse hit from Niko Mikkola in the first period of Game 6. However, Knies will be on the ice despite not being 100-percent.
The Numbers May Not Lie for Florida
Brad Marchand has been a thorn in the side of the Maple Leafs for a number of seasons. He was with the Boston Bruins for a number of series-clinching wins over the Leafs.
The veteran forward may be on a new team, but he can heap more misery on Toronto. Marchand will be appearing in his 13th Game 7 of his career. He is 7-5 currently in winner-take-all games. However, a win would tie him with Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Ryan McDonagh in all-time Game 7 wins.
Marchand could add to his long list of villainy against the Maple Leafs with another victory. He is 4-0 in Game 7s against Toronto in his career. History seems to be on the side of Florida with head coach Paul Maurice also being 5-0 in Game 7s where he’s the head coach.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The post Game 7 Notebook Ahead of Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.