Panthers take 2-0 series lead as Maple Leafs lose Knies to injury

The Florida Panthers scored three unanswered goals, beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Thursday night to take a commanding 2-0 series lead as round two now shifts to the sunshine state.

Toronto scored twice in the first period in what was a dominating start on home ice courtesy of Alex Kerfoot and a powerplay tally for Ryan O’Reilly. The Panthers and Anton Lundell would answer to make it 2-1 before the end of the period.

After that, it was all Florida, whose skaters took control of the game, peppering Ilya Samsonov with shots and scoring two quick goals to erase the deficit and take all life out of Scotiabank Arena.

It was Aleksander Barkov and Gustav Forsling’s second goals of the playoffs.

“That start [to the second period] was disappointing,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said postgame. “It’s baffling, frankly.”

Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was again outstanding for Florida, stopping 34 of 36 shots on the night. The 34-year-old was particularly good in the third period, turning aside several Grade A chances from Maple Leafs skaters.

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares combined for 22 shots in Game 2.

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped them all.

— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 5, 2023

Samsonov stopped 26 of 29 shots for Toronto.

The Leafs have struggled mightily to win at home, with a 1-4 record dating back to the first-round series against Tampa Bay. The last win on home ice for the Maple Leafs was on April 20, when Toronto took Game 2 against the Lightning.

Toronto was 27-8-6 in games at Scotiabank Arena during the regular season — one of the best home records in the NHL.

The Leafs won all three road games against Tampa Bay in round one. Florida has a 1-2 home record during these playoffs.

Maple Leafs rookie leaves Game 2

Also concerning for the Maple Leafs is the early departure of winger Matthew Knies, who did not come out after the first period.

Matthew Knies will not return to tonight’s game, per Leafs. He was shaken up after this play. https://t.co/i1sNgyhEVy

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) May 5, 2023

Knies appeared shaken up after being taken down to the ice by Panthers winger Sam Bennett. There was no penalty call on that play.

Keefe said that the 20-year-old not returning to the game was “not positive,” but said his status going into Game 3 is unclear.

Knies was also the victim of an elbow to the face earlier in the period. Matthew Tkachuk was called for a penalty. Knies, whose steady play has greatly benefited the Maple Leafs in both series, scored his first NHL goal in Game 1.

Toronto has a few days to rest before playing Game 3 in Florida on Sunday. Puck drop is slated for 6:30 p.m. on Sportsnet.