The Florida Panthers have secured their spot in the Eastern Conference Final for the third consecutive season after a commanding 6-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night, played in front of the Toronto home crowd.
A key contributor to Florida`s success in this game was defenseman Seth Jones, who delivered one of his most impactful performances. Jones was effective offensively, scoring a goal and adding an assist. He was equally impressive defensively, dominating his ice time at five-on-five and quickly initiating transitions from defense to offense following turnovers.
Additionally, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov once again demonstrated his significant value to the team. While consistently taking on the most challenging matchups defensively, he still managed to make offensive contributions without compromising his defensive responsibilities.
In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky continued his strong run, appearing nearly unbeatable for the fourth consecutive game. Although the Panthers` strong defensive play limited the number of shots he faced, Bobrovsky remained sharp and made crucial saves whenever the Maple Leafs managed to get scoring opportunities.
Following this decisive Game 7, here are the top performers recognized as the 3 Stars of the Night:
3. Sergei Bobrovsky | G | Florida Panthers
Sergei Bobrovsky, the goalie for the Florida Panthers, earned the Third Star. After a difficult start to the series, Bobrovsky rediscovered his elite form starting in Game 4 and maintained that high level. In Game 7, he didn`t face an onslaught of shots but was focused and made critical saves when needed. His timely stops in the first period, particularly his denial of Scott Laughton on a breakaway when the game was still scoreless, were pivotal moments that helped prevent Toronto from building early momentum.
2. Aleksander Barkov | C | Florida Panthers
Aleksander Barkov, the Panthers` captain and center, is the Second Star. This game highlighted Barkov`s indispensable role. While he contributed two assists to the scoresheet, his defensive performance was arguably even more impactful. He consistently matched up against Toronto`s most dangerous offensive players, including Mitchell Marner, Auston Matthews, and Matthew Knies, and demonstrated remarkable defensive control, reflected in strong expected goals percentages in those matchups. Barkov reinforced his reputation as one of, if not the best, defensive forwards in hockey with his performance in Game 7.
1. Seth Jones | D | Florida Panthers
Seth Jones, a defenseman for the Florida Panthers, was named the First Star. Acquired by Florida at this year`s trade deadline, Jones has experienced a significant revitalization after his time with the Chicago Blackhawks. He was the standout player in Game 7 against the Maple Leafs. Jones opened the scoring by joining a 2-on-1 rush and unleashing a precise shot that beat the goaltender high. Later, he initiated the rush that led to Jonah Gadjovich`s goal, extending Florida`s lead to 3-0. Jones was highly involved throughout the game, showcasing both offensive drive and defensive awareness. Defensively, the Panthers were notably effective at five-on-five whenever Jones was on the ice, limiting Toronto`s attack.
