While the Toronto Maple Leafs saw their season come to another disappointing end, it opened an opportunity for a superstar name to represent his home country. F

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.

It's time for the regrettably predictable annual tradition, and this spring is hitting some fans differently than ever before.

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.

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.

Chris Rooney was hurt 13 seconds into the second period when he caught an errant stick in the face during the Panthers-Maple Leafs game.

Let's look at the facts. Since 2018, the Maple Leafs' longest tenured players — Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Morgan Rielly — have fallen completely flat in their career in Game 7, scoring three goals between them in six games.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf will take part in his third-ever IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship as he officially joins his home country, Czechia, for this year's tournament, the team announced on Wednesday.

Former NHL player Rile Cote explains why he thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to fall short in the Stanley Cup Playoffs