The Florida Panthers are ready to hit the ice in Game 2 of their second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight in Toronto. The Panthers dominated Game 1, with Matthew Tkachuk leading the charge with NINE hits and many points, and Leafs goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, shutting down any attempts from the opposing team.
For Chicago Blackhawks fans, this series is worth watching, even if their team didn't make the playoffs this year. While it may seem like the Blackhawks have little to do with this series, they could benefit from a Panthers win. In the 2023 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks have the first- and second-round picks of the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the Leafs eliminating the Bolts in the previous playoff round, the Blackhawks are guaranteed to have at worst the 20th overall pick in the first round.
If the Panthers can advance to the Eastern Conference Final with a series win against the Leafs, the Blackhawks will move up one more spot to No. 19 overall. While the fate of Chicago's first pick lies in the upcoming draft lottery, having another pick inside the top 19 would certainly be a plus for the franchise.
