Toronto Maple Leafs Lose Game 7, Drake Blames Justin Bieber

The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a decisive 6-1 Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers in the NHL Eastern Conference semifinals, extending their NHL-record Stanley Cup drought to 57 years and marking their seventh consecutive Game 7 defeat. Rapper Drake, a prominent Leafs supporter who wagered $1 million on the team, lost his bet and blamed fellow celebrity Justin Bieber for the team's poor performance, calling it the "Bieber curse" on social media. Bieber, who attended the game with his wife Hailey and has shown ongoing support for the Leafs, was seen by some fans as a jinx after his public appearances and social media activity leading up to the loss. Toronto star Auston Matthews attributed the defeat to inconsistent team effort and lack of cohesion during the game. Despite finishing the regular season atop the Atlantic Division and advancing past the first playoff round, the Leafs could not overcome their playoff struggles, leaving fans and celebrity backers disappointed as the team looks ahead to next season. The Panthers will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.