Maple Leafs vs. Panthers: From 'must win' to 'please lose' in less than a year

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers would each have given anything to win when they met in Game 7 last spring with a berth in the Eastern Conference Final on the line.On Saturday, they’ll play again at Scotiabank Arena with the only real victory to be found in a loss.It’s a peculiar scenario rooted in an NHL season turned upside down. All the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions (Florida) and owners of the league’s longest playoff streak (Toronto) are left competing for entering the final week of the regular season are better odds in the draft lottery.Advertisement