The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the brink of playoff elimination after a resounding 6-1 defeat to the Florida Panthers in the fifth game of the Eastern Conference semi-final series.
The Maple Leafs’ offense, which had already been silenced in Game 4 with a 2-0 loss, once again proved ineffective, scoring their only goal in the final two minutes of the game. Now, Toronto finds itself down 3-2 in the series, after having led 2-0.
Key figures on the team, such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, have failed to score a goal in this second round, jeopardizing the Leafs’ aspirations of advancing in the postseason.
I think we all have to look in the mirror. Myself included. We all want to be better. We all want to win.
Auston Matthews
Matthews, with only three goals in the last 21 games, and the Maple Leafs in general, showed a lack of energy and determination, allowing the Panthers to dominate the game from the start.
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad opened the scoring for Florida in the first period, while goaltender Joseph Woll struggled to keep Toronto in the game.
We played slow. They were fast, they pressured us, they were hungrier. That’s the first period, and that sets the tone of the game. It’s hard to explain. We all need to be better, myself included. You can’t start the game that way, that’s a big thing for me.
Craig Berube, Toronto coach
In the second period, Florida extended its lead with goals from Dmitry Kulikov, Jesper Boqvist, and Niko Mikkola, leaving Toronto without answers. A.J. Greer scored the fifth goal for the Panthers, forcing Toronto to replace Woll with Matt Murray in goal.
The fans’ frustration became evident, with boos and objects thrown onto the ice.
Sam Bennett added a goal in the third period to make the score 6-0 in favor of the Panthers.
The Panthers’ goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, has been a wall, denying any scoring opportunity to the Leafs.
Toronto’s only goal came from Nicholas Robertson, but it was too late to change the course of the game.
Tonight, it wasn’t a good game for anyone. Anyone. All of us. It wasn’t a good game.
Craig Berube, Toronto coach
Defenseman Chris Tanev took responsibility for the loss, showing the team’s determination not to let this be the penultimate game of their season.
I take responsibility. I need to be better. If I’m a player down [in Game 5], we’re probably not going to win the game. It’s on me. I take responsibility for the game.
Chris Tanev
Game 6 will be played on Friday in Florida.
