Insider All But Confirms Start Date for Leafs' Second Round Series Against the Panthers

Shortly after the Leafs closed out their first round series against the Ottawa Senators, it was revealed that there were three potential start dates for their second round series, depending on how much longer the remaining first round series' went.

According to Chris Johnston, the league has issued a tentative start date for the two clubs to renew their Atlantic Division rivalry with the Panthers coming to Toronto for Game 1 on Monday night.

After being the first team with the opportunity to close out a series, the Leafs closed out the Battle of Ontario a day after the Florida Panthers ousted the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.

The Monday start is a blessing for the Maple Leafs, as it will give the entire team a few days off to heal up some bumps and bruises and let Anthony Stolarz rest after starting six consecutive games for the first time in his NHL career.

In what is already being billed as the 'Core 4' against the 'Rats', Leafs Nation is hopeful this year goes better than their 2023 second round matchup that saw the Leafs fall in five games.

Like the Senators, the Panthers dominated the season series winning three of four games, but will be without Aaron Ekblad who was suspended for two games, for Game 1, the Leafs will have to find a way to take advantage and get an early series lead and not let up off the gas in what could be a full 7-game series.