The Florida Panthers are set to face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 on May 18. This is obviously a massive game for the two clubs playing, but it also impacts the Boston Bruins.

While the Panthers knocked out the Bruins in each of the two previous post-seasons and the two clubs developed a deep rivalry in the process, fans should be rooting for the Cats to pull off a victory against the Maple Leafs in Game 7. This is because a Panthers loss would kill any chance of the Bruins receiving a first-round pick from Florida in the Brad Marchand trade. A Maple Leafs loss, on the other hand, would benefit the Bruins. 

At the 2025 NHL trade deadline, the Bruins traded Marchand to the Panthers in exchange for a conditional 2027 second-round pick. However, this pick will change into a 2027 or 2028 first-round pick if the Panthers win two rounds and Marchand plays in at least 50% of Florida's playoff games. Thus, the Bruins need a Panthers win and a Maple Leafs loss in Game 7 to have any shot of getting that much-needed first-rounder. 

As for Marchand playing in at least 50% of Florida's playoff games, he has done a good job with that thus far. The Bruins legend has appeared in all 11 of the Panthers' post-season contests so far, posting two goals, nine points, and a plus-8 rating.

Overall, while the Panthers had the Bruins' number in the previous two playoff years, Boston fans should be rooting for a Panthers win over the Maple Leafs in Game 7. Let's see if Florida can get it done and keep the Bruins' chances of getting another first-round pick alive.

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