On May 18, 2025 the Panthers were preparing to play their toughest game of the season yet, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was Game 7, and the series was tied 3-3. This game was a do-or-die, and would decide who moved on to the next round of the tournament. However, let’s go back to the beginning.
The first game of the second round of playoffs was on May 5th. This game was a dogfight, it contained many fights and a lot of aggression. The game was a nailbiter, yet the Toronto Maple Leafs ended up with the win, the score being 5-4. This game repeated itself on May 7th, as it was also a nailbiter, and Toronto took the win, yet again, the score being 4-3.
After the two losses, the Panthers had to regroup before the next few games, since they were down 0-2 in the series. If Toronto won two more games, the Panthers would be eliminated from the entire series.
The next game was on May 9th, and the Panther’s needed to lock in. Not just physically, but mentally. The Panthers struck back, and won the game, 5-4 in overtime. They did not stop there; the Panther’s also won on May 11th 2-0 and on May 14th 6-1.
The Panthers made a comeback, with the series now 3-2, they did not want to go down, especially without a fight. The team needed one more win to advance to the conference finals. Sophomore Lyla Masson describes this comeback as amazing, as she has, “been a Panthers fan for years now so this comeback was definitely stressful at first, but in the end was definitely amazing.”
Unfortunately, on May 16 the Panther’s lost 2-0, bringing the series to a tie. The final tie breaking game, on May 18 was an amazing game for the Florida Panthers. Bringing home a 6-1 win, advancing to the conference finals.
Along with the Panther win, the whole Panther defense set a playoff record with 10 goals scored in one series and 18 total points in the playoffs. Junior, Aaron Santiago explains, “the Panthers in the 2025 playoffs feels like the start of a dynasty… Playing better than ever even taking out top teams. This team is going to win it all!”
The next game for the Florida Panthers is on May 22, against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Florida Panther’s and their dedicated fans are aspiring to defend the den and the Stanley Cup trophy.
