Florida, here we come.

After defeating the Ottawa Senators 4-2 Thursday night in Game 6 of the Battle of Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs have officially punched their ticket to Round 2, where they’ll take on the Cup-defending Florida Panthers.

Heading into Thursday’s matchup, the Core Four were challenged to step up to the moment in a way they’ve previously failed to in potential series-clinching games. And they certainly did. William Nylander, celebrating his 29th birthday, scored twice, and Auston Matthews added the opening goal as they sent the Senators packing.

Speaking on the ice to Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas after the game, Toronto’s captain shared how it feels to finally put the Battle of Ontario to bed.

“It feels great,” Matthews said. “We came into this game with a lot of noise on the outside, but I think there’s just belief in this group in the room, the belief in one another to just go out there and play, shift by shift. Proud of the guys, that’s one step, big game tonight and we’ll just keep moving forward.”

After the Leafs took a commanding 3-0 series lead to kick things off, they dropped Games 4 and 5, and suddenly the Senators were knocking at the door to even things up Thursday. With recent difficulties closing out series, panic began to run across Toronto at the prospect of yet another blown lead and the dreaded Game 7. Bukauskas asked Matthews if that anxiety ever got to the team.

“No, not really,” he said. “I mean it’s playoffs, so there’s gonna be ups and downs, there’s gonna be different swings and stuff like that.”

With that, Matthews shared what he’s most proud of in how his group played the third period to close this one out.

“Just the bounce back, going through adversity,” he said. “Leaning on one another, not getting down on ourselves, staying even keeled, and finishing the job.”

From one captain to another, Matthews also had to give his respect to fellow American Brady Tkachuk, praising the effort from him and his team in the hard-fought series.

“I told him he’s a great competitor, a great leader,” Matthews said. “They’re gonna be back. They’re a great team, a young team. I got nothing but respect for him. I’ve known him a long time, he’s a great person and a great player.”

With the Battle of Ontario in their rearview mirror, the Leafs must now steady themselves for a big upcoming test against the physical Florida Panthers. Depending on scheduling, that series could start as early as this weekend.