Sam Bennett scored power-play goals late in each of the first two periods, Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves and the short-handed Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Thursday night for their seventh victory in eight games.

The game had a playoff feel with first place in the Atlantic Division at stake and had some chippy moments. Florida is first, four points ahead of Toronto after the victory.

The Florida Panthers are a difficult team to beat. Even without Matthew Tkachuk, new acquisition Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers won 3-2 on Thursday in Toronto. They also showed why they'll be a tough out once the playoffs roll around.

Cutting into the deficit for the Maple Leafs in the third period, Max Domi, shortly after a power play had expired for Toronto, sniped a shot from the slot to make it 3-2 at 4:26. From there, Sergei Bobrovsky shut the door.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (25), Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Alex Nylander (92) and right wing William Nylander (88) go for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) AP

TORONTO -- Sam Bennett scored two power-play goals for the Florida Panthers in a 3-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. Niko Mikkola also scored, and Sam Reinhart had two assists for the Panthers (41-22-3), who are 7-1-0 in their past eight. Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves.

Sam Bennett scored two power-play goals as the visiting Florida Panthers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Thursday night.