First Place Panthers Wrap Up Road Trip In Toronto
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TORONTO (CBSMiami/SportsDirect) – The Florida Panthers are enjoying one of the franchise's best seasons in its history.
The Panthers are in unfamiliar territory as they attempt to secure only their second playoff berth in the past 16 seasons.
Florida holds a one-point edge over Boston and two-point lead over Tampa Bay atop the Atlantic Division as it wraps up a three-game road trip against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
"The playoffs are the big deal, but you know what, we want to finish as high as we can," Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. "We want to finish in first place."
Florida blew a two-goal, third-period lead in a 3-2 loss at the New York Islanders on Monday, but rebounded with a 4-1 victory over Montreal one night later.
Toronto, which has an NHL-worst 59 points, is doing its best to play the role of spoiler, winning three of its last four and knocking off Tampa Bay 4-1 on Tuesday.
The Maple Leafs, who lost at Florida 5-1 on Jan. 26, are seeking a season high-tying third straight win in the second of a six-game homestand.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; FSN Florida, Sportsnet Ontario, TVA Sports (Toronto), NHL-TV
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (39-22-9): While Vincent Trocheck is on a hot streak and fellow center Aleksander Barkov has tallied in three straight games, an encouraging sign for Florida is seeing Nick Bjugstad emerge from his funk.
Bjugstad has scored in back-to-back contests following an 11-game goalless drought and a stretch in which he tallied once in 20 outings.
"He's a big skill guy whose got the full package," Panthers forward Teddy Purcell said. "I knew he was out for a little bit and it takes time to gain your confidence back and feel good about yourself again."
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (24-34-11): Goaltender Jonathan Bernier's season continues to be a roller coaster as he bounced back from a three-start losing streak in which he yielded 10 goals to win his last two outings while surrendering a combined one tally.
"I feel better now," said Bernier, who lost his first 11 decisions this season. "My game is coming back. I've made some adjustments and I feel better now."
Defenseman Connor Carrick and forward Ben Smith, a pair of trade-deadline acquisitions, each scored their first goal for the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
OVERTIME
- Trocheck has two goals and six assists over the last five games.
- Toronto has killed off all 15 short-handed situations over the past six games.
- Panthers G Roberto Luongo has allowed 16 goals in his last five starts but is 19-7-0 versus the Maple Leafs.
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