Leafs outscore Panthers

In Toronto, the Maple Leafs scored four goals in the first period to take a 4-2 lead en route to a 7-5 win over the visiting Florida Panthers.

John Tavares struck for four goals in the win.

“As good as tonight was, we’ve got to keep pushing forward and keep working and keep finding different ways to be productive and hard to play against so we can continue to be as good as we can be into the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs,” Tavares said.

Jake Muzzin, Patrick Marleau and Zach Hyman scored single markers for the Leafs.

“It’s always nice when you hit milestones in wins,” Hyman said. “It makes everybody feel better. Twenty goals is a big milestone for me, for sure, but really it’s just about keeping going.”

Frederik Andersen made 31 saves to get the win.

Jayce Hawryluk and Jonathan Huberdeau scored two goals each in the loss.

“It’s embarrassing the way we’ve played the last three or four games, me included,” defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. “It’s unfortunate, and as part of the leadership group, I take full responsibility for it. The best we can do is learn from it and move on.”

The Panthers are 10 points back of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

“We come into every game with a game plan,” Ekblad said. “Especially against a team like Toronto tonight, we know they can score goals. We wanted to limit their chances, and obviously we didn’t do a good job of that. The bounces didn’t go our way, but it doesn’t matter, you have to make your own bounces.”

Mike Matheson added a single marker for the Panthers.

[WATCH: All Panthers vs. Maple Leafs highlights]

Sam Montembeault got the start but did not last five minutes; he surrendered two goals on just four shots before getting the hook.

“You hate to leave your goalie out to dry that early when he’s not even warm with such Grade A chances,” Hawryluk  said. “Especially with the skill they have, they’ll capitalize on it, and they did. I feel like two games in a row we’ve left him out to dry. As a young goalie, sometimes you need your guys in front of you to step up and not give up such good chances, and we didn’t do that tonight for him.”

Robert Luongo made 28 saves in relief.