Toronto Maple Leafs fans hope the team can extend the postseason run with a win over the Panthers

toronto Maple Leafs Fans are hoping to make an impact on Friday as the team fights for its playoff survival once again.

Toronto is set to host Game 5 of its second round series against the Florida Panthers. Florida holds a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven matchup after falling to the Leafs 2-1 at home on Wednesday.

Fans packed Maple Leaf Square outside Scotiabank Arena throughout the series. Even though the Leafs are 1-4 at home this postseason, fans had high hopes after Wednesday’s win.

Toronto avoided being swept in a best-of-seven series for the first time since 1979, but will need to become the fifth team in NHL history to win a series after losing 3-0 to extend its playoff streak.

This marks the Leafs’ first trip past the first round since 2004 after beating the Tampa Bay Lightning, last season’s Stanley Cup finalist, in six games.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 12, 2023.