Auston Matthews aims to build on his recent goal-scoring surge when the Toronto Maple Leafs face the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena. The game, set for 7:30 p.m. ET, will be nationally televised in the United States. Both teams are vying for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will welcome the defending two-time Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers to Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday evening, highlighting a key matchup in the NHL schedule. Auston Matthews, Toronto's captain, enters the game after netting six goals over his previous four outings. In their most recent contest, a 4-3 overtime defeat to the New York Islanders on Saturday, Matthews scored twice, reaching his 421st career goal and surpassing Mats Sundin for the most in franchise history.
The Maple Leafs hold a record of 19-15-7, placing them four points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Meanwhile, the Panthers sit at 22-16-3, trailing Pittsburgh by just two points. Florida's forward Sam Bennett has been a standout, riding a nine-game point streak with four goals and six assists.
This contest carries added weight as both clubs push for postseason berths. The game will air on SNO, TNT, and HBO Max, drawing national attention in the U.S. For Toronto, maintaining momentum from Matthews' hot streak could prove crucial in tightening the wild-card race, while the Panthers look to leverage their championship experience on the road.