Sam Bennett scored power-play goals late in each of the first two periods, Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves and the short-handed Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Thursday night for their seventh victory in eight games.

TORONTO -- Sam Bennett scored two power-play goals for the Florida Panthers in a 3-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. Niko Mikkola also scored, and Sam Reinhart had two assists for the Panthers (41-22-3), who are 7-1-0 in their past eight. Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves.

The game had a playoff feel with first place in the Atlantic Division at stake and had some chippy moments. Florida is first, four points ahead of Toronto after the victory.

Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (25), Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Alex Nylander (92) and right wing William Nylander (88) go for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) AP

TORONTO (AP) — Sam Bennett scored power-play goals late in each of the first two periods, Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves and the short-handed Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Thursday night for their seventh victory in eight games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers played a pivotal game on Thursday with a vast impact on the Atlantic Division standings and both teams' outlook for the postseason. The protagonist, it turned out,

The Florida Panthers are a difficult team to beat. Even without Matthew Tkachuk, new acquisition Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers won 3-2 on Thursday in Toronto. They also showed why they'll be a tough out once the playoffs roll around.

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Sam Bennett scored two power-play goals as the visiting Florida Panthers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Thursday night.