The Leafs will next have to take on the Florida Panthers in their quest to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2002. The reigning Stanley Cup champions advanced to the second round for the fourth straight year on Wednesday after claiming a 6-3 Game 5 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs begin on April 19. The Winnipeg Jets are the NHL's top overall seed, having finished the regular season with the most points in the standings, and the Washington Capitals earned the No. 1 seed in the East.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers took their first step toward a repeat bid Wednesday by advancing to the second round. They'll face the Toronto Maple Leafs, who beat the Ottawa Senators on Thursday to win a playoff series for the second time since 2004.