{"id":468802,"date":"2025-05-18T13:11:30","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T17:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=468802"},"modified":"2025-05-18T13:11:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-18T17:11:30","slug":"game-7-notebook-ahead-of-florida-panthers-vs-toronto-maple-leafs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/05\/18\/game-7-notebook-ahead-of-florida-panthers-vs-toronto-maple-leafs\/","title":{"rendered":"Game 7 Notebook Ahead of Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Tonight will have a pivotal Game 7 between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/05\/18\/nhl-predictions-game-7-florida-panthers-vs-toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">Florida Panthers<\/a> and the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/05\/16\/toronto-maple-leafs-versus-florida-panthers-game-6-from-sunrise-florida\/\" target=\"_self\"> Toronto Maple Leafs.<\/a> Florida is seeking a third consecutive Eastern Conference Final while Toronto is looking to make its<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/news\/craig-berube-heads-into-game-7-after-one-year-anniversary-as-toronto-coach#:~:text=Under%20the%20guidance%20of%20the,the%20Carolina%20Hurricanes%20in%202002.\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> first ECF since 2002<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/05\/16\/carolina-hurricanes-alexander-nikishin-debuts-as-andrei-svechnikov-puts-series-versus-washington-capitals-to-bed\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> await the winner of this series with Game 1 starting on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at some news and notes ahead of Game 7 between the showdown between the Panthers and Leafs.<\/p>\n<h2>Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7 Notebook<\/h2>\n<h3>Leafs Rolling With Woll in Game 7<\/h3>\n<p>Toronto is going with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wolljo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joseph Woll<\/a> in between the pipes in Game 7. Woll made 22 saves in the Maple Leafs&#8217; 2-0 Game 6 victory in Sunrise, Fla. The 26-year-old has been pressed into service with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stolaan01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Stolarz<\/a> exiting Game 1 with concussion-like symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>The Athletic&#8217;s Jonas Siegel reported that Stolarz has been officially ruled out for Game 7. This will be the sixth straight game that Stolarz will miss and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=murrama02,murrama03&amp;search=Matt+Murray&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matt Murray<\/a> will be the backup for Woll in this pivotal game.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Anthony Stolarz didn\u2019t take part in the Leafs morning skate on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>It appears that Matt Murray will again back up Joseph Woll in Game 7.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonassiegel\/status\/1924115165064085959?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Elimination games are always pressure-packed, but Woll has been solid in these types of games. The Missouri native is 4-1 in elimination games since 2023, but the pressure will be even higher with this being a Game 7.<\/p>\n<h3>Panthers Get a Lineup Boost<\/h3>\n<p>Florida got some good news ahead of Game 7. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rodriev01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evan Rodrigues<\/a> has been cleared and will return to lineup for Game 7. This news comes from TVA Sports Renaud Lavoie.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Evan Rodrigues IN, Jesper Boqvist OUT vs <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MapleLeafs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@MapleLeafs<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FlaPanthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@FlaPanthers<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TVASports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TVASports<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/renlavoietva\/status\/1924135975720042693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The veteran forward exited Game 4 after a high-high hit from defenceman Oliver-Ekman Larsson. Rodrigues seems to be back and he&#8217;ll replace <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/boqvije01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jesper Boqvist<\/a>. However, Boqvist was productive during his time in the lineup.<\/p>\n<p>The 31-year-old has three assists in nine postseason games. However, he is an important part of the Panthers&#8217; lineup.<\/p>\n<h3>Toronto Forward Also A-Go for Game 7<\/h3>\n<p>Toronto also go some good news ahead Game 7 with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kniesma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Knies<\/a> being <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.tsn.ca\/nhl\/matthew-knies-set-to-play-for-toronto-maple-leafs-without-restriction-in-game-7-1.2308139\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cleared to play<\/a> without restriction. Leafs Head Coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/berubcr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Craig Berube<\/a> said Knies will be ready to go for Game 7 after he took the morning skate.<\/p>\n<p>There had been some concern that the former University of Minnesota product wouldn&#8217;t play. However, the top-line winger will play through whatever pain he has.<\/p>\n<p>Knies suffered some discomfort after getting a reverse hit from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mikkoni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Niko Mikkola<\/a> in the first period of Game 6. However, Knies will be on the ice despite not being 100-percent.<\/p>\n<h3>The Numbers May Not Lie for Florida<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marchbr03.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brad Marchand<\/a> has been<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/nhl\/article\/game-7-notebook-maple-leafs-matthew-knies-must-play-hurt\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> a thorn in the side<\/a> of the Maple Leafs for <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/05\/05\/first-round-series-review-of-the-boston-bruins-and-toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">a number of seasons.<\/a> He was with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/04\/nhl-rumours-boston-bruins-coaching-search\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Bruins<\/a> for a number of series-clinching wins over the Leafs.<\/p>\n<p>The veteran forward may be on a new team, but he can heap more misery on Toronto. Marchand will be appearing in his 13th Game 7 of his career. He is 7-5 currently in winner-take-all games. However, a win would tie him with Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdonry01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan McDonagh<\/a> in all-time Game 7 wins.<\/p>\n<p>Marchand could add to his long list of villainy against the Maple Leafs with another victory. He is 4-0 in Game 7s against Toronto in his career. History seems to be on the side of Florida with head coach Paul Maurice also being 5-0 in Game 7s where he&#8217;s the head coach.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tonight will have a pivotal Game 7 between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida is seeking a third consecutive Eastern Conference Final while Toronto is looking to make its first ECF since 2002. The Carolina Hurricanes await the winner of this series with Game 1 starting on Tuesday. Let&#8217;s take a look [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":468813,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,4547,6671,34,4548,18],"tags":[8133,450,2740,6608,1092,6847,5951],"class_list":["post-468802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-panthers","category-hockey","category-injuries","category-news","category-nhl","category-leafs","tag-2025-stanley-cup-playoffs","tag-brad-marchand","tag-evan-rodrigues","tag-florida-panthers-news","tag-joseph-woll","tag-matthew-knies","tag-toronto-maple-leafs-news"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=468802"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":468814,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468802\/revisions\/468814"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/468813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=468802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=468802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=468802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}