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 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.

Hockey fans, the most wonderful time of the year has arrived: the Stanley Cup playoffs. And the 2025 version might be as good as ever, with what looks like a wide-open race going into the postseason.Sixteen teams have the same quest: to take home Lord Stanley's Cup.