The defending champion Florida Panthers are back in their second-round series after downing the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime Friday.
Trade deadline acquisition Brad Marchand, a thorn in the Maple Leafs’ side during his Boston Bruins days, added a new chapter with his winning goal at 15:27 of overtime. It has his fourth career playoff overtime goal and also his 14th postseason game-winner, tops among active players.
The Panthers now trail the best-of-seven series 2-1 after coach Paul Maurice’s moves paid off.
He swapped out the entire fourth line, which provided energy and a goal. He also tweaked the top two lines, which were highly effective.
The Panthers still had to come back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to win. Sergei Bobrovsky, who looked shaky early, made several big saves in overtime in a game that was filled with lots of hits and fluky goals.
USA TODAY Sports provided live coverage for Game 3 between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Here are updates and highlights:
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs highlights
Panthers social media staff grateful for Marchand
Game 3 recap
Panthers-Maple Leafs final score: Brad Marchand wins it in overtime
Brad Marchand scores at 15:27 of overtime. After sustained pressure in the zone, Marchand skates toward the left faceoff circle and his shot hits something and deflects over Joseph Woll’s shoulder for a 5-4 win. The Panthers cut their series deficit to 2-1.
Another Sergei Bobrovsky save
Matthew Knies tracks down a loose puck, breaks in alone and Bobrovsky stops him.
Seven minutes left
Joseph Woll keeps the puck out as Panthers press. They’re scraping the ice with 6:56 left.
Big save by Sergei Bobrovsky
He stops William Nylander, who broke in after a long pass from the Leafs zone.
Overtime begins
Maple Leafs kill off the remaining 13 seconds of Max Pacioretty’s penalty.
Goal change
Jonah Gadjovich is awarded the goal originally given to Tomas Nosek. The puck defected off Gadjovich.
End of third period: Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 4
Morgan Rielly tied the game with a fluke goal in the third period. The Maple Leafs get some big blocks during a late Panthers power play and Sam Reinhart hits the post. We’re heading to overtime.
Maple Leafs hit crossbar
Game still tied.
Penalty missed
Morgan Rielly high-sticks Anton Lundell, but nothing is called.
Panthers-Maple Leafs score: Morgan Rielly scores on fluke play
He throws the puck at the end. Sergei Bobrovsky makes a blocker save and the puck goes off Panthers defenseman Seth Jones leg and into the net. Rielly had accidentally knocked the puck into his own net earlier in the game. Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 4
End of third period
This game has had several goals involving strange bounces and the Maple Leafs tie the game on one when Sergei Bobrovsky makes a blocker save and the puck goes off Panthers defenseman Seth Jones and into the net. Morgan Rielly got the goal. Both teams hit the post afterward and we’re going to overtime.
Panthers go on power play
Max Pacioretty is called for tripping Seth Jones. There’s 1:47 left in regulation. Sam Reinhart hits the post. Maple Leafs get some blocks and it’s heading to overtime. There will be 13 seconds left on the power play once overtime starts.
Midway through third period
More deliberate pace so far. Shots are 3-2 Toronto.
Third period underway
Goalie Joseph Woll was a near-giveaway early but recovers to stop Anton Lundell.
End of second period: Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 3
Toronto scores early and Florida controls like, just like the first period. The difference this time: Florida puts in three goals to take the lead. The Panthers led in shots, 9-4, and had another 20-plus hits in the period. The Maple Leafs led after two periods in the first two games of the series
Tomas Nosek slow to get up
Tomas Nosek, who scored the go-ahead goal, barrels into the net and is slow to get up. He starts heading to the dressing room but comes back to the bench.
Maple Leafs-Panthers score: Florida takes lead
Panthers coach Paul Maurice changed out his fourth line and the new one connects. Tomas Nosek takes a shot that deflects several times. He’s credited for now, his first goal of the playoffs. Fourth line looking good in this game. Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 3
Maple Leafs go on power play
Dmitry Kulikov holds Max Domi. Toronto already has a power-play goal in this game. Florida’s Brad Marchand gets the best chance. Penalty killed.
Maple Leafs-Panthers score: Carter Verhaeghe ties it up
Carter Verhaeghe has a wide-open net after a great pass from Sam Bennett. Two Florida goals in 64 seconds and we’re tied. Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 3
Maple Leafs-Panthers score: Florida scores weird goal
Brandon Carlo uses a broken stick to stop the puck from crossing the line. Sam Reinhart scores but it’s not clear that’s in until a replay shows the puck over the line. Maple Leafs 3, Panthers 2
Maple Leafs-Panthers score: John Tavares scores again
With the Maple Leafs on a power play, John Tavares tips a Mitch Marner point shot. It goes in off Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling. Maple Leafs 3, Panthers 1
Second period underway
2-1 Toronto.
End of first period: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 1
Florida got off to a disastrous start by giving up a Mathew Knies goal 23 seconds in, the Maple Leafs’ quickest playoff goal in 62 years. Toronto added another goal off the rush (Florida was too aggressive on the forecheck) before the game was six minutes old. But the Panthers started controlling play after and got an Aleksander Barkov goal (knocked in by Morgan Rielly). Shots are 12-10 Toronto. Florida has a huge edge in hits, 24-10.
Panthers back on power play
Max Domi called for roughing Carter Verhaeghe. But power play doesn’t last long. Verhaeghe is called for holding the stick. Before Florida can touch the puck, Mitch Marner is stopped on a short-handed breakaway. Florida kills off the abbreviate Toronto power play.
Panthers go on power play
Brandon Carlo in the penalty box for his hit on Matthew Tkachuk. Panthers get some looks, Sam Reinhart hits the post and Toronto kills it off.
Panthers-Maple Leafs score: Aleksander Barkov gets one back
Aleksander Barkov throws a hit, takes a Sam Reinhart pass and drives the net. Morgan Rielly accidentally puts it into his own net. Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 1
Panthers-Maple Leafs score: John Tavares doubles lead
Maple Leafs get a 3-on-2 break. John Tavares gets the puck and scores on a wraparound at 5:57. Sergei Bobrovsky can’t get back in time. Max Pacioretty and William Nylander continue their strong play by picking up the assists. Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0
Panthers-Maple Leafs score: Toronto strikes early
Matthew Knies scores 23 seconds into the game. Not the start Florida wants. Knies knocks in a rebound after Mitch Marner’s shot hits the crossbar. Maple Leafs 1, Panthers 0
Game underway
Auston Matthews line vs. Aleksander Barkov line.
What time is Panthers vs. Maple Leafs?
Game 3 between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs will start at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, May 9, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
How to watch Panthers vs. Maple Leafs playoff game: TV, stream
Date: Friday, May 9
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida
TV: TNT, truTV
Stream: Sling, Max
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs, Game 3
Panthers lineup change
According to the Panthers roster report, Tomas Nosek, A.J. Greer, Jonah Gadjovich are dressing for this game, replacing fourth-liners Mackie Samoskevich, Nico Sturm and Jesper Boqvist. Evan Rodrigues moves to the top line and Carter Verghaeghe goes to the second line.
Sergei Bobrovsky stats in second round
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky uncharacteristically has given up nine goals on 50 shots in the series.
‘Our confidence (in Bobrovsky) is never wavering,’ forward Sam Reinhart said. ‘We feel we’ve got the best goalie in the world back there. Our job is to make it as easy as possible for him. I think we can do a better job of that.’