Maple Leafs vs Panthers Projected Lineups, Game Preview and Roster Details: December 2nd, 2025.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers face off tonight, December 2, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET in a highly anticipated matchup at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. This game marks the first meeting between these Atlantic Division rivals since the Panthers eliminated the Maple Leafs in a seven-game series during the 2025 Eastern Conference semi-finals, on their way to capturing their second straight Stanley Cup.

Here's a look at the projected lineups:

Toronto Maple Leafs:

  • Forwards:
    • Matthew Knies - Auston Matthews - Max Domi
    • Easton Cowan - John Tavares - William Nylander
    • Dakota Joshua - Nicolas Roy - Bobby McMann
    • Steven Lorentz - Scott Laughton - Nick Robertson
  • Defense:
    • Morgan Rielly - Oliver Ekman-Larsson
    • Jake McCabe - Troy Stecher
    • Simon Benoit - Philippe Myers
  • Goalies:
    • Joseph Woll
    • Dennis Hildeby
  • Scratches: Calle Jarnkrok, Matias Maccelli, Dakota Mermis
  • Injured: Chris Tanev (upper body), Anthony Stolarz (upper body), Brandon Carlo (lower body)

Florida Panthers:

  • Forwards:
    • Brad Marchand - Anton Lundell - Sam Reinhart
    • Carter Verhaeghe - Sam Bennett - A.J. Greer
    • Jesper Boqvist - Evan Rodrigues - Mackie Samoskevich
    • Noah Gregor - Jack Studnicka - Luke Kunin
  • Defense:
    • Gustav Forsling - Aaron Ekblad
    • Niko Mikkola - Seth Jones
    • Uvis Balinskis - Jeff Petry
  • Goalies:
    • Sergei Bobrovsky
    • Daniil Tarasov
  • Scratches: Donovan Sebrango, Jack Devine
  • Injured: Aleksander Barkov (knee), Matthew Tkachuk (lower body), Tomas Nosek (knee), Jonah Gadjovich (upper body), Dmitry Kulikov (shoulder), Eetu Luostarinen (lower body), Cole Schwindt (broken arm)

Storylines to Watch:

  • Maple Leafs' Lineup Decisions: Max Domi has been elevated to the first line alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, following a two-assist performance against Pittsburgh. Rookie Easton Cowan continues to impress and will play on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander, also earning a spot on the top power-play unit. Simon Benoit returns to the lineup, replacing Dakota Mermis on the third defensive pairing.
  • Panthers' Injuries: The Panthers are dealing with a significant number of injuries to key players, including Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Jack Studnicka has been recalled from AHL Charlotte and will center the fourth line.
  • Goaltending Matchup: Joseph Woll is expected to start in goal for the Maple Leafs, while Sergei Bobrovsky will be in net for the Panthers.
  • Series History: The Panthers have had the upper hand in recent meetings, including the 2025 playoff series. However, the Maple Leafs will be looking to close the gap in the standings with a win tonight.

Additional Notes:

  • The game will be broadcast on HULU, ESPN+, TSN4, and TVAS.
  • The Panthers are favored to win, with moneyline odds of -170.
  • The over/under is set at 5.5 goals.

With both teams battling injuries and striving for playoff positioning, tonight's game promises to be an intense and emotional contest.


Written By
Priya Joshi is a feature writer and sports storyteller dedicated to bringing real voices and real emotions to life. She finds inspiration in stories of perseverance, teamwork, and ambition. With a warm and engaging tone, Priya’s writing celebrates both achievement and the journey behind it. Her goal is to make sports coverage inspiring and relatable.
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