Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 4 Preview: How To Watch, Odds, Injuries, Notes, and Keys

The Florida Panthers celebrated another come-from-behind win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday night. Florida was looking to avoid being down 0-3 in a playoff series for the first time since their second-round series against Tampa Bay in 2022. It was a night Cats fans won't forget for a long time. Game 3 started badly for Florida.

Toronto's Matthew Knies opened the scoring 23 seconds into the game. Before the 6:00 mark, the Leafs opened up a 2-0 lead when John Tavares scored on a wrap-around. Aleksander Barkov scored his third goal of the series a few minutes later by diving with the puck in front of the net before it deflected off Morgan Reilly's stick.

In the second period, Tavares scored a power-play goal 2:52 into to put the Maple Leafs up 3-1. Florida would then score three unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead. Sam Reinhart snuck the puck past the goal line after a scrum in front of the net. Carter Verhaeghe scored his third goal of the series by finishing off a nice feed from Sam Bennett.

Then, 15:07 into the middle frame, the newly formed fourth line featuring Tomas Nosek and Jonah Gadjovich came in clutch. Nosek fired a shot from just inside the blue line, which got deflected by Gadjovich, giving him his first career playoff goal. For much of the final regulation period, Florida held onto their slim 1-goal lead. But, 10:56 in, Morgan Reilly scored off an unfortunate Seth Jones bounce.

The game went into overtime, and after 15:27 into the extra session, the Maple Leaf killer, Brad Marchand, earned his first signature postseason moment in Panther red by scoring the winner. He took a shot from just inside the right face-off circle, which got deflected off of Morgan Reilly. Florida avoided a hole that's nearly impossible to rally from.

Now, the focus shifts to Game 4, where the Cats look to even the series at 2-2.

How To Watch Panthers vs. Maple Leafs, Game 4

Date: Sunday, May 11 Time: 7:30 PM ET Venue: Amerant Bank Arena TV: TBS, Tru TV, MAX Toronto leads series 2-1

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs odds, spreads, and total

Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook

Puck Line

Florida -1.5 (+136) Toronto +1.5 (-218)

Total

6.5 (over +110/under -130)

Moneyline

Florida: -185 Toronto: +154

Florida Panthers Injury Report

N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs Injury Report

Anthony Stolarz, G: Day-To-Day (Head); Jani Hakanpaa, D: IR-LT (Knee)

Florida Panthers Projected Lines

Evan Rodrigues- Aleksander Barkov- Sam Reinhart Carter Verhaeghe- Sam Bennett- Matthew Tkachuk Eetu Luostarinen- Anton Lundell- Brad Marchand A.J. Greer- Tomas Nosek- Jonah Gadjovich

Gustav Forsling- Aaron Ekblad Niko Mikkola- Seth Jones Nate Schmidt- Dmitry Kulikov

Sergei Bobrovsky Vitek Vanacek

Scratches: Mackie Samoskevich, Jesper Boqvist, Nico Sturm

Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines

Matthew Knies- Auston Matthews- Mitch Marner Max Pacioretty- John Tavares- William Nylander Steven Lorentz- Scott Laughton- Calle Jarnkrok Bobby McMann- Max Domi- Pontus Holmberg

Jake McCabe- Chris Tanev Morgan Reilly- Brandon Carlo Simon Benoit- Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Joseph Woll Matt Murray

Scratches: David Kampf

Panthers Keys To the Game

We all have seen this key before. It's a redundant one. However, there is a reason this always gets repeated by everyone in the hockey world when listing the keys to a game. The Panthers scored the first goal in Game 2 but couldn't sustain that for very long. Now, this scenario is different. Florida is in their lovely confines, and getting the home crowd involved will be big for them.

The Cats got off to a bad start a few nights ago. That's not ideal, and it can't happen again. While Paul Maurice constantly proclaims he doesn't believe in momentum, it is a real thing. Getting that early shot of adrenaline will be a key factor in determining how successful they will perform in Game 4. It's a step-by-step process when getting that first goal.

Florida needs to keep getting in on the forecheck, throw the body, and win board battles. If they do that early, along with applying pressure on Joseph Woll, they'll put themselves in a great position to break the ice.

Through three games, the Panthers have been extremely physical against the Leafs. In Game 3, the Panthers registered their series high, recording a total of 62 hits. That needs to continue. Winning games in the playoffs is all about tiring and wearing down your opponents. That has been a fixture in this recent run of success for the franchise.

Toronto isn't the toughest team, nor are they all that imposing. The Leafs' game is predicated on establishing zone time and getting great scoring chances off the rush. Make them uncomfortable. Continue to throw the body. Put them on the floor. This will neutralize many of those scoring chances they'll get. Do this, especially with their top forwards.

Through the first three games, the Panthers have had eight power-play opportunities. They have only been able to score two goals on the man-advantage. That has to get better. Scoring in the playoffs when on the power-play is harder to do than in the regular season. However, going 2-for-18 in this category isn't going to get you through in the long run.

It's well-known that the Cats pack a punch offensively. Their power-play units feature their best goal scorers, including Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe. The team has to score more when given the chances. Toronto will take their penalties. Make them pay for it. Quick passing, screening Woll, and lots of shots from the half-boards and the point will do some damage.

The penalty kill has been excellent all postseason. This is the time to complement that with some timely power-play goals. Cashing in more could put Game 4 out of reach for Toronto early.

Notes:

• Before Game 3, Paul Maurice made some notable lineup changes. The fourth line saw Jesper Boqvist and Nico Sturm get slotted out for Tomas Nosek and Jonah Gadjovich. The change worked as the two brought some much-needed energy and scored the third-period goal.

• Also, Mackie Samoskevich was scratched for the second time in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's missed a few games in the first round series with Tampa Bay.

• Florida earned a seventh consecutive victory by a defending Stanley Cup champion in Game 3 when facing a 2-0 deficit. The defending champions have come back to win three of the past six series after losing the first two games: Tampa Bay in the 2022 Conference Finals, Chicago in the 2014 First Round and Los Angeles in the 2013 Conference Quarterfinals.

• The Panthers earned their sixth multi-goal playoff comeback in franchise history with the Game 3 victory. The other times include Game 4 of 2024 R2, Game 2 of 2023 R2, Game 5 of 2022 R1, Game 3 of 2021 R1 & Game 3 of 2012 CQF.

• Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe tallied goals 64 seconds apart to erase the 3-1 deficit in Game 3. They were also the Panthers’ two goal scorers during their Stanley Cup-clinching win at Amerant Bank Arena in Game 7 of the 2024 Final against the Edmonton Oilers.

• Verhaeghe now has four career playoff goals against the Leafs, the franchise that drafted him with the No.82 pick of the 2013 NHL Draft.

• Jonah Gadjovich joined Nate Schmidt (Game 1 of 2025 R1) as the second player to score a goal in his playoff debut with the Panthers this postseason. The franchise’s highest total during a single playoff year is five players during their magical run to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final (Johan Garpenlov, Mike Hough, Jody Hull, Ray Sheppard, and Jason Woolley).

• The Panthers own an all-time playoff overtime record of 15-10 (6-5 as home team). Florida’s record includes a 2-0 mark against Toronto following wins at Amerant Bank Arena in Game 3 of the 2023 Second Round and the series-clinching victory at Scotiabank Arena in Game 5.

• The Panthers recorded the 12th multi-goal comeback win to avoid facing a 3-0 series deficit in the last 40 years. Florida accounts for two of the last three (Game 3 of 2021 R1).

• Brad Marchand (36 years, 363 days) became the oldest player in franchise playoff history with an overtime goal, besting the previous mark set by Mike Hough (33 years, 96 days in Game 5 of 1996 R2 vs. Philadelphia).

• Brad Marchand scored his fourth career playoff overtime goal, which trails only Patrick Kane, Corey Perry, and Carter Verhaeghe (all with 5) for the most among active players.

• Brad Marchand (12-21—33 in 31 GP) tied Henri Richard (14-19—35 in 35 GP) for the third-most playoff points against Toronto in NHL history behind Gordie Howe(20-33—53 in 55 GP) andAlex Delvecchio (10-25—35 in 41 GP). Marchand’s 12 postseason goals also passed Brett Hull, Phil Esposito, and Johnny Bucyk for sole possession of the seventh most against the Maple Leafs.