In Sunrise, the Florida Panthers built a 5-0 lead into the second period and coasted to am 8-4 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.
Mike Hoffman had two goals for the Panthers.
Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and two points for Florida to become the leading scorer in franchise history.
“It’s cool,” Huberdeau said. “Another great night. Couldn’t ask for better. Overall, the team played really good, big win. We knew we needed it tonight and on top of that history, it’s pretty cool and I’m going try to enjoy that tonight.”
Chris Driedger got the start for injured Sergei Bobrovsky and made 43 saves for the win.
“I thought he did very well,” Panthers coach Joel Quenneville said. “He had a great start to the game and then all of a sudden it’s a 7-4 game in the third and he did what he had to do to get the win. He did a fine job with a lot of shots. They test you almost every single shift with something at the net and traffic. He did what he had to do.”
Mitchell Marner struck twice for the Maple Leafs.
“Tonight we were giving up too many odd-man chances,” Marner said. “It seems like every guy that had a 2-on-1 had a gun of a shot or a [heck] of a vision to make a play. We were leaving our goalie out to dry on multiple goals tonight. It’s unfair to them and we have to be way better.”
Zach Hyman and John Tavares added single markers for Toronto.
Hoffman, Josh Brown and Alexander Barkov scored for a 3-0 lead i the first period.
“As the season goes, it kind of happens for players,” Hoffman said. “When it’s going to the right way, you just try and do the same things and opportunities come and try to capitalize on those chances that you get.”
Mike Matheson, Frank Vatrano, Vincent Trocheck, and Mike Matheson also scored for the Panthers.
“We know they’re a good team,” Huberdeau said. “I thought we had a great start, great second as well. They came back a little bit, but we still stuck with it. We played well. Obviously, when everybody gets some points, we’re one of the best teams in the League. That’s how we’ve got to play to be in the playoffs.”
[WATCH: All Maple Leafs vs. Panthers highlights]
Frederik Andersen got the start for the Leafs and made eight saves and surrendered four goals; he got the hook in the middle frame.
“You take [the loss] as what it is, which is a good slap in the face. It’s a good reminder of how we can’t play if we have any intention at all of being a successful team,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. ”
Michael Hutchinson made 13 saves in replacing Andersen in the shooting gallery.
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