After Toronto’s hard fought 5-4 win in game 1, the Leafs and Panthers met for the second game of the series in what was an instant classic between the two teams.

“We’re just trying to keep our calmness,” Marner said. “It’s going to be a roller-coaster ride throughout every game. There’s going to be different ups and downs throughout everything. We’re playing a heck of a hockey team over there and you know they’re going to come with everything especially when they’re down goals, and for us, it’s just trying to stay even-keeled throughout it all.”

Max Pacioretty and Max Domi continued their strong play in game 2, each logging a goal and an assist. Joseph Woll made 25 saves in the win, battling for the Maple Leafs instead of Anthony Stolarz, who remained sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

In the first ten minutes of the contest, the Leafs had two separate power play opportunities that they couldn’t convert on. Florida got their own power play just outside the 11 minute mark, and immediately capitalized with captain Alex Barkov scoring from the left face-off dot.

Toronto didn’t end the period with a 0, however. With less than two minutes left in the period, Toronto was at the end of another man advantage, where the second unit was on. Max Pacioretty scored to tie the game 1-1 as he tipped a Morgan Rielly point shot at the top of the crease.

Brad Marchand put the Panthers back in the lead 15 seconds into the second, but William Nylander tied it again about 4 minutes later, scoring from the slot off a pass from Max Pacioretty.

Domi finally put the Maple Leafs up 3-2 from the left side with about three minutes left in the period, when he one-timed a pass from Steven Lorentz high to the blocker side on a 2-on-1.

“We had everyone going,” Domi said. “It takes everyone to win at this time of year, so it was a big win, but we need to get ready for the next one now.

With just over five minutes gone in the third, the Panthers tied it when Anton Lundell redirected a pass at the left side of the goal crease from Aaron Ekblad, who was on the right boards.

17 seconds later, magic was made by one Mitch Marner, who took the lead with the eventual game winning goal, shooting with traffic from the point that got over the shoulder of Bobrovsky and in the back of the net. Toronto played 5-on-6 for the final three minutes, but held the lead to take the two game series lead headed back to Florida.

One thing about this team that many are seeing, is how different this team is from past Maple Leafs teams. The passion and the heart of this team is unlike what we’ve seen before. Going down a goal to one of the strongest teams in the league, doesn’t phase them one bit. In past years, you’d see them play scared, or even cough up another goal. This team doesn’t back down, they don’t quit. This game is a perfect example. They get scored on, the shifts are even harder. They play with an extra edge, more tenacity, and it results in a goal. To win this series against Florida, they need to play a full 60 minutes with this mentality. Heading to Sunrise with a two game series lead is huge. If the Leafs can take one of two in Florida and head back to Toronto for game 5 up 3-1, they’ll be in a great position to finish this series, and get another monkey off their back.