Defense Remains Major Issue As Panthers Fall 7-5 In Toronto

TORONTO (CBSMiami/AP) — The Florida Panthers have scored eight goals over their past two games, which is usually enough to come away with a pair of victories.

That’s not the case here, though.

John Tavares had the first four-goal game of his career and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Panthers 7-5 Monday night.

Florida also gave up seven goals in their previous game, a 7-3 home loss to the Boston Bruins.

Tavares, who signed a seven-year, $77 million contract with the Leafs in free agency on July 1, has 45 goals this season, the most by a player in his first season with the franchise.

Tavares also has nine three-goal games since being drafted first overall by the New York Islanders in 2009. He…