Panthers troll Justin Bieber, Maple Leafs
Digest more
Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews
Digest more
Stolarz left Game 1 after suffering an injury in an 'unfortunate incident' with a former teammate. He did not play again in the series.
Despite having a 2024-25 season that would qualify as the best year for many NHL players, Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews didn't live up to his usual standard because of a lingering injury.
The Maple Leafs (52-26-4) finished first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points, six ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning and eight of the Panthers. Toronto then won only its second postseason series in 21 years by eliminating the Ottawa Senators in six games in the first round.
All signs are pointing to Mitch Marner leaving Toronto in free agency. Why it's the best thing for all involved.
Explore more
When I say Toronto didn't stand a chance, I don't mean against Florida. Ordinarily, those Maple Leafs could absolutely beat the Panthers. Instead, what Toronto didn't stand a chance against was history. The Leafs were always going to blow this game. There was waaaaaay too much stink involved all around for Toronto to get it done.
Indeed, the Maple Leafs came into this contest having lost six consecutive Game 7s, including five with Matthews, Marner, forward William Nylander and defenseman Morgan Rielly in the lineup. This was their chance to finally change the narrative.
Maple Leafs have been projected to win it all under Brendan Shanahan, but can't even get out of 2nd round. Again. That doesn't help Red Wings fans.
The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Final, dropping Game 7 at home to the Florida Panthers. It was yet another frustrating loss for the Maple Leafs in the postseason, leading many people to believe that big changes are coming to the team.