Heartbreak City: Leafs Lose Game Seven Vs Panthers In Second Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs
Photo credit: Marker Zone
It was supposed to be different this year for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They had a ton of hope heading into game 7 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs versus the Florida Panthers.
Many believed 2025-2026 even felt different, especially coming off of a convincing game 6, where the Leafs handed the Panthers a 2-0 loss, in their own barn.
"You win a game 6, that's great, you come home. you've got to have a level of desperation, determination," Craig Berube said.
The desperation to which Toronto's head coach refers was absent for most of the game, however, as the Leafs would not take their first shot on net until 11:34 of the 1st period.
Call it the Harold Ballard curse, or just plain old ineptitude when the game really counts, it does not change the fact that the Leafs could not get it done, again.
"I don't know how it really got away from us," said Auston Matthews when asked about the loss. "I think just not on the same page in different areas of the game."
The Leafs did, however, have their opportunities to turn the game in their favor. Craig Laughton had a partial breakaway at 14:32 of the 1st period, and shortly after, Lorenz had a clear breakaway at 16:04; but Bobrovsky stopped both chances.
"We don't question Bob. He does his thing and whatever he does, it works for him. He's a wall. He's our guy we trust," said Florida forward Lundell."
Jones would put the Panthers ahead 1-0 at 3:15 of the 2nd period, beating goalie Woll short-side. Without a Leafs' push-back, the Panthers would go up 2-0 at 7:18 of the middle frame, in which the Leafs were outshot 18-5.
Toronto narrowed the lead to 3-1, when Domi scored at 2:07 of the 3rd period, on a Bobby McMann feed. But it was too little too late, as the Florida Panthers would go on to score 3 more times, putting the game well out of reach.
"Can't have passengers in game 7. So, it just stinks. We all got to hold ourselves to a higher accountability," Mitch Marner said about the Leafs' performance.
Florida will now play Carolina in the Eastern Conference Finals.
| POLL | ||
MAI 19 | 50 ANSWERS Heartbreak City: Leafs Lose Game Seven Vs Panthers In Second Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs Should Toronto Maple Leafs break up the core-four? | ||
| yes | 44 | 88 % |
| no | 6 | 12 % |
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