Toronto has some serious star power behind them, with Justin Bieber taking to Instagram to post support for his home team
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We’re into the second round of the 2025 NHL playoffs and two marquee names in the league square off for an Eastern Conference matchup, as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Florida Panthers.
At a Glance: How to Watch Leafs vs. Panthers Games
While the Panthers are the defending Stanley Cup champions, Toronto has some serious star power behind them, with Justin Bieber taking to Instagram this week to post a message of support for his home team. “New series starts tonight,” the singer and longtime Leafs fan wrote. “This the yearski.”
Of course all Leafs fans like Bieber hope this is the year the Original Six team finally wins the Cup, breaking a drought that dates back all the way to 1967. Want to watch the Leafs vs. Panthers hockey game online? Here’s what you need to know.
How to Watch Leafs vs. Panthers NHL Playoffs Series
This year’s Leafs vs. Panthers NHL playoff series is airing on ESPN in the U.S. and Sportsnet in Canada. You can watch the hockey games on TV with a basic cable package that includes one of those channels in your region. Don’t have cable? There are also a few ways to stream the Leafs vs. Panthers online.
BEST OPTION
DirecTV
Your best bet is to sign-up for DirecTV, which offers 90+ live television channels that you can watch online without needing a cable package. DirecTV’s current lineup includes ESPN, TNT and TBS so you can use the service to livestream the Leafs vs. Panthers online. Even better: DirecTV starts you off with a five-day free trial that you can use to watch the Leafs vs. Panthers game online for free. Continue on with packages starting at just $84.99/month after your free trial is up.
EDITOR’S PICK
Fubo
One of our editors’ favorite ways to stream live sports online is Fubo, which offers ESPN as part of its channel lineup. Fubo has a seven-day free trial that you can use to watch the Leafs vs. Panthers on ESPN for free. Fubo’s offer also includes free DVR so you can record the hockey games to watch back a replay later. Like what you see after the free trial? Fubo streaming packages start at just $64.99/month for a limited time (regularly $84.99+) for more than 200 live TV channels.
ALL-IN-ONE
Hulu + Live
Hulu + Live TV combines everything you love about Hulu’s shows and movies, with more than 90 live TV channels to stream online. Hulu + Live TV plans include a live feed of ESPN, TBS and TNT, so you can watch the Leafs vs. Panthers NHL playoff series online without cable. Test out the service with a three-day trial here. Plans start at $82.99/month after that. What we like: Hulu’s plan includes access to ESPN+ and Disney+ including to Hulu live and on-demand content. See full offer details here.
NEW PROMOTION
Sling
Sling offers the best value and cheapest way to stream the Leafs vs. Panthers games online, thanks to a new promo that knocks $10 off its Sling Orange plan. For just $35/month (for your first month), get access to a live feed of ESPN, TNT, TBS and more. It’s the easiest way to livestream the hockey games online without cable. Get more than 30 other live TV channels as part of the Sling Orange package.
In Canada, the Toronto vs. Florida playoff series will air on CBC and Sportsnet (and streaming free on their respective websites). You can watch the Canadian feed by using a virtual private network like ExpressVPN.
The Leafs vs. Panthers series will take place from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, and Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
Toronto advanced with a 4-2 series win over the Ottawa Senators, while Florida took down Tampa Bay in five games in their first-round All-Florida series. Florida holds the regular-season advantage over the Leafs by a record of 3-1.