Maple Leafs at Panthers
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their season-ending road trip with a visit to the Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Maple Leafs were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Tuesday, while the Panthers own the second-worst record in the league. Both teams are 2-8-0 in their last 10 games.
Florida won two of the first three games of its season series against Toronto, including a 4-1 decision at home on Feb. 4. Home victories have proved elusive for the Panthers, who are 15-19-5 at BB&T Center, while the Maple Leafs have not won on the road since March 13. There are only four teams in the league with more goals allowed than Toronto (251), but Florida (263) is one of them.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Leafs TV, Fox Sports Florida
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (38-34-8): Defenseman Paul Ranger missed Tuesday’s tilt due to the flu but could play on Thursday. Dave Bolland also missed Tuesday’s game because of an ankle ailment and remains questionable. Team leading scorer Phil Kessel has three points in his last six games and one goal in his last seven.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (28-44-8): Goaltender Roberto Luongo sat out Tuesday after suffering an upper-body injury in the morning skate and is day-to-day, meaning Dan Ellis could start again Thursday. Jonathan Huberdeau returned to the lineup on Tuesday after missing 11 games and scored his first goal since Jan. 20. Brandon Pirri saw his four-game point streak (three goals, two assists) come to an end on Tuesday.
OVERTIME
1. Toronto won all three games against Florida last season, but the Panthers posted a 4-0-0 mark versus the Maple Leafs in 2011-12.
2. The Panthers have struggled against Atlantic Division opponents (12-16-1), while the Maple Leafs are 14-11-3.
3. Toronto G James Reimer is expected to start in net on Thursday.