Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 2
Nick Bjugstad scored twice and added an assist to help host Florida spoil Drew MacIntyre’s first NHL start.
Brad Boyes added a goal and an assist while Brandon Pirri also scored for the Panthers, who won for the second time in eight games. Roberto Luongo made 27 saves for Florida after missing Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury.
Tyler Bozak recorded a goal and an assist while defenseman Paul Ranger scored his second goal of the month for Toronto, which lost for the 11th time in 13 contests. MacIntyre, 30, stopped 33 shots in his first action since a relief appearance on March 23.
Bjugstad set up Boyes on the doorstep with a cross-crease feed with three seconds left in the middle period to give Florida a 2-1 edge. The 6-foot-6 rookie scored both of his goals in the third period, converting on a wraparound 3:23 into the session and scoring while short-handed at 6:02.
Pirri opened the scoring 6:06 into the contest with a wrist shot from the slot, but Bozak got the Maple Leafs on the board 4:13 into the second. Ranger’s point shot brought Toronto within two goals with 6:03 remaining in the third, but Luongo withstood a late barrage to finish with 14 saves in the final 20 minutes.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Florida won three of its four meetings with the Maple Leafs, taking the season series after being swept by Toronto in 2012-13. … The 21-year-old Bjugstad has recorded 16 goals and 38 points in his first full season with the Panthers. … The Maple Leafs and Panthers end their respective seasons on Saturday, with Toronto visiting Ottawa and Florida hosting Columbus.