The Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1, in a game that was much closer than the score indicated, to extend its Atlantic Division lead over the Boston Bruins to three points with 11 games left on the schedule.
After a scoreless first period that saw the Buds have the better of the play, Jussi Jokinen opened the scoring with a power-play goal 24 seconds into the middle frame. Jokinen's crossing pass intended for Vincent Trocheck was deflected in by Toronto's Ben Smith. The goal came with Brooks Laich in the box for taking a delay of the game call towards the end of Nazem Kadri's interference minor.