Maple Leafs Suffer Seventh Consecutive Game 7 Loss to Florida Panthers

The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a crushing 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7, marking their seventh consecutive elimination in winner-take-all games and continuing a history of playoff disappointments for their core players, including Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Despite some early promise and moments of resilience, the Leafs were outplayed in all aspects, particularly defensively, where their structure collapsed under pressure, and offensively, with their top lines and depth failing to generate meaningful threats. The Panthers dominated shot attempts and capitalized on Toronto's lack of urgency and poor execution, especially in the second period when they scored three goals in a short span, effectively demoralizing the home crowd. Fan frustration boiled over with jerseys and beer thrown onto the ice, reflecting deep disappointment in a team that once held high hopes of a Stanley Cup breakthrough. The loss has sparked speculation about significant changes to the Maple Leafs' roster this offseason, including the potential departure of key players and scrutiny of team management. Overall, the defeat underscored the Leafs' ongoing struggle to perform under playoff pressure and their need for a fundamental reset.