Leafs need six-round shootout to sneak past Panthers

Field Level Media|published: Tue 28th November, 22:21 2023

Nov 28, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) battle in front of the net with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. credits: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Noah Gregor scored in regulation and netted the decisive goal in a six-round shootout as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Florida Panthers 2-1 on Tuesday.

Florida's Evan Rodrigues had what appeared to the winning goal in the fifth-round of the shootout, but it was disallowed because he double-hit the puck. On the Panthers' last attempt, Nick Cousins' wrist shot hit the goal post and bounced away.

Joseph Woll made 37 saves for the Maple Leafs in the opener of a three-game homestand. Toronto improved to 5-1-1 in its past seven games.

Kevin Stenlund scored in regulation for the Panthers. Florida goalie Anthony Stolarz stopped 31 shots in the second game of a three-game road trip. The Panthers, who are 1-2-1 in their past four games, opened the trek with a 5-0 win over the Ottawa Senators on Monday.

Stenlund scored his sixth goal of the season at 15:29 of the first period on an 11-foot wrist shot from the left of the net. Jonah Gadjovich and Aaron Ekblad earned assists.

Toronto's Mitchell Marner left the game halfway through the first period after being hit in the face with the puck. He returned for the second period wearing a cage-like mask.

The Panthers had a 15-7 advantage in shots on goal in the first period.

The Maple Leafs killed off a double-minor penalty to Max Domi early in the second period.

Toronto's William Nylander hit a goal post twice on consecutive shots in the second period at 7:23 and 12 seconds later.

Gregor scored his third goal of the season at 12:54 of the second. Gregor took advantage of a Florida turnover at the Toronto blue line to speed down the left to produce the unassisted goal.

Florida had a 29-20 edge in shots on goal after the second period.

The Maple Leafs could not take advantage of a power play when Aleksander Barkov was called for tripping at 10:38 of the third period.

Gadjovich was penalized four minutes for high-sticking at 16:56 of the third. Toronto did not score, then took a penalty for too many men on the ice at 19:54 of the third.

Both teams completed the overtime at even strength.

Toronto defenseman Mark Giordano sustained an injured hand in the first period and did not return.

—Field Level Media

Latest