The Toronto Maple Leafs were one game away from exorcising the biggest demon that has hung over their heads in the Core Four era – winning a Game 7. And in an all-too familiar story, they failed to come up with the win.
The Florida Panthers outclassed the Leafs from the start. It was akin to Game 5 in the second period, allowing three goals in just under seven minutes and letting the Panthers walk all over them. This time, they found a way to drag the fans back into it and instill hope by scoring early in the third period to make it 3-1 Florida. That lasted all of 47 seconds, before the Panthers did what the Leafs had made a habit of doing earlier in the playoffs and snatched the momentum right back from them with a goal to make it 4-1.
By midway through the third period, jerseys were flying on the ice during play, prompting the PA announcer to warn fans against it. Mitch Marner was seen on camera in the second period screaming at his team to wake up, hands down the angriest he’s looked during his tenure with the Leafs, but it might be too little too late. He’s the biggest name on a list of pending free agents the Leafs have to deal with come July 1, and with the head coach and general manager that committed to this team and the vision that was supposed to lead them to success both out of the picture, it’s not far-fetched to assume there’s a world where Marner is no longer a Leaf come summertime.
Questions will also be asked about President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan, whose contract is up after the tenth year of his tenure in the role. Everybody outside of the Core has fallen on the sword from this team, whether it be general managers or coaches, but his job has been safe the entire time. It will be interesting to follow this storyline as the offseason kicks into full gear. At some point, accountability has to prevail at the top, and he’s the only one who’s been safe from sacrifice throughout this time.
The Leafs did some good things this season. They won the Atlantic Division for the first time and they built some good habits that translated to more playoff success than usual. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. Old habits reared their ugly heads at the worst possible time, and it cast a dark shadow on what was ultimately nine years full of potential down the drain.
