The Florida Panthers got off to yet another slow start and it doomed them again in a 3-2 loss to the seemingly playoff-bound Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto outshot the Cats 13-3 in the first period and scored twice to take a lead they would not relinquish.
Auston Matthews bagged the Buds’ first goal 11:54 into the opening frame to set a new franchise record for most goals by rookie with his 35th. Matthews quickly wristed home Zach Hyman’s centering pass from behind the net to establish the new mark. William Nylander picked up the secondary assist on the historic goal.