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.

Multiple seasons were on the line Wednesday in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Washington Capitals had an opportunity to close out their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 after winning three of the first four, while the Florida Panthers had the opportunity to do the same to the Tampa Bay Lightning in their own Game 5.

Forward Pavel Dorofeyev (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision when the Golden Knights face the Minnesota Wild in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round on Thursday (7:30 ET; FDSNNO, SCRIPPS, ESPN, TVAS2, SN360).