Florida Panthers are trying to keep Toronto Maple Leafs fans out of playoff games

The Toronto Maple Leafs will face the Florida Panthers in the second round of the NHL playoffs, but snowbirds looking to score seats for an away game might be out of luck.

The Panthers will host Games 3, 4, and a potential Game 6 at FLA Live Arena in the Miami suburb of Sunrise, Florida.

Sensing the potential for the team's home arena to be swamped by visiting Leafs fans, the Panthers appear to have pre-emptively clamped down on Canadian buyers by limiting ticket sales to credit cards with U.S. billing addresses.

.@FlaPanthers trying to keep #Leafs fans out of Sunrise. @TSNJR @TSNSimmer pic.twitter.com/LuUZqnX6jK

— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) May 1, 2023

The move may be limited in its impact on the breakdown of fans in the crowd. Several comments question the point of such a policy in an era of third-party ticket sellers.

If you don't think leafs fans will find a way to get there and in the stands....

— Corey Allan (@Corey_A_Proctor) May 1, 2023

Fans determined to get into the stadium will likely have plenty of options.

Scalper heaven.

— Michael Slavitch 🐀🇨🇦 (@komputernik) May 1, 2023

Others just think the policy isn't in the spirit of the sport.

Yep. I remember when Tampa tried to restrict Panthers fans from a certain section & panthers fans lost their minds. Meanwhile they’re ok with this?🤣

— lindsay (@LeafsLindsay) May 1, 2023

Leafs fans proved a minor thorn in the side of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the Buds' six-game series win, appearing in numbers at Amalie Arena and cutting into the Lightning's home-ice advantage.

Granted, this year's playoffs are somewhat of an anomaly, where visiting teams have claimed a disproportionate share of wins for an overall playoff record of 31-18 through 49 games.