The Toronto Maple Leafs’ season came to a bitter and familiar end Sunday night as the Florida Panthers routed them 6 to 1 in Game 7, eliminating the Leafs from the playoffs and sending a wave of frustration through Scotiabank Arena.
Toronto is now 0 and 7 in Game 7s since 2004, and the latest defeat saw fans tossing jerseys onto the ice, players visibly dejected on the bench, and growing uncertainty about the future of the franchise’s core. The Leafs, who once led the series 2 to 0, collapsed under pressure, allowing Florida to win four of the last five games and punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Auston Matthews, named captain this season, didn’t hold back in his assessment. “Just weren’t on the same page,” he said. “It’s very very frustrating.” Mitch Marner, who may have played his last game as a Maple Leaf, summed up his emotions in one word: “Sadness.”
Florida’s Brad Marchand and Eetu Luostarinen each posted a goal and two assists. The defending Stanley Cup champions dominated the Leafs from start to finish, with goals also coming from Seth Jones, Anton Lundell, Jonah Gadjovich, and Sam Reinhart. Sergei Bobrovsky made 19 saves for the Panthers, while Toronto’s Joseph Woll faced 34 shots and stopped 28.
Head coach Craig Berube, in his first year behind the Leafs bench, had no explanation for the team’s back-to-back home meltdowns in Games 5 and 7. “I don’t have an answer,” he admitted postgame.
Adding to the sting was the sight of jerseys hurled over the glass by angry fans during the third period, a now familiar ritual in Toronto following postseason heartbreaks. “Feel their disappointment, it’s tough,” said captain John Tavares. “Never want to see the jerseys on the ice, but we know we just didn’t play well enough.”
With Game 7 echoing the 6 to 1 loss suffered at home in Game 5, questions about the team’s structure and leadership have intensified. Marner, an unrestricted free agent on July 1, expressed gratitude for his time with the Leafs. “They took maybe a risky pick on a small kid from Toronto,” he said. “I’ve been forever grateful to wear this Maple Leaf.”
Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, who has long defended the team’s core of Matthews, Marner, Tavares, and Nylander, is also without a contract beyond this season. His future, along with that of several top players, is now in question.
Adding a bizarre twist to the fallout, rapper Drake reportedly lost a 1 million dollar bet placed on the Leafs to win. Meanwhile, pop star Justin Bieber posted a surprisingly upbeat message of support for the team despite the devastating loss.
For Leafs fans, Sunday’s collapse was not just another elimination. It was the continuation of a long painful cycle that shows no signs of breaking.
Discover more from Weekly Voice
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
