The Panthers did what many thought was impossible by knocking off the record-setting Bruins in the first round. Their reward? A date with the Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2023 NHL playoffs.
Toronto and Florida kick off their playoff series tonight with Game 1 at Scotiabank Arena. It's the first time ever these two clubs are meeting in the postseason.
The Maple Leafs finally got the first-round monkey off their back, securing the club's first playoff series win in 19 years with a victory over the Lightning in six games. Toronto won three overtime games in Tampa Bay to knock off the three-time defending Eastern Conference champions.
MORE: Watch 2023 NHL playoff games on ESPN with Fubo
The Panthers stunned the Bruins, storming back from down 3-1 in the series to eventually take Game 7 in overtime thanks to a Carter Verhaeghe game-winning goal. After Boston set NHL records for the most wins and points in regular-season history, Florida upset the Presidents' Trophy winners to reach the second round for the second year in a row.
The Sporting News has all you need to know to watch Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game 1.
NHL PLAYOFFS: FULL BRACKET | PREDICTIONS | POWER RANKINGS
Leafs vs. Panthers Game 1 start time
- Date: Tuesday, May 2
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game 1 puck drop is set for Tuesday, May 2 at 7 p.m. ET.
The game is being played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ont.
What channel is Leafs vs. Panthers Game 1 on?
- TV Channel (U.S.): ESPN
- TV Channel (Canada): Sportsnet, CBC, TVAS
- Live stream (U.S.): ESPN+, ESPN app, Fubo
- Live stream (Canada): SN NOW, CBC Gem, CBC Sports app
The Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game 1 is set to air live in the United States on ESPN. Fans in Canada can watch the action on Sportsnet, CBC or TVA Sports for the French-speaking audience.
For those looking to live stream the game, ESPN+ and the ESPN app are options in the United States, in addition to Fubo, which carries all NHL playoff games on ESPN and has a free trial.
In Canada, streamers can watch the game through SN NOW, CBC Gem or the CBC Sports app.
Leafs vs. Panthers Game 1 odds
- Puckline: Leafs -1.5 (+148) | Panthers +1.5 (-178)
- Moneyline: Leafs -170 | Panthers +142
- O/U: 6.5
The Leafs enter Game 1 as the favorites at home against the Panthers to start the second-round series.
Odds provided by Sports Interaction.
Leafs vs. Panthers series schedule
| Date | Site | Time (ET) | TV/Result |
| Tues., May 2 | at Toronto | 7 p.m. | ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| Thurs., May 4 | at Toronto | 7 p.m. | TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| Sun., May 7 | at Florida | 6:30 p.m. | TBS, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| Wed., May 10 | at Florida | 7 p.m. | ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| *Fri., May 12 | at Toronto | TBD | TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| *Sun., May 14 | at Florida | TBD | SN, CBC, TVAS |
| *Tues., May 16 | at Toronto | TBD | TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS |
* If necessary
