With the Toronto Maple Leafs unraveling in a must-win Game 7 against the Florida Panthers on Sunday, Mitch Marner got heated with his teammates.
The Leafs star was seen yelling at the team's bench after they fell behind 3-0, using expletives in his attempt to spark teammates.
Marner's outburst attracted criticism, but Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube gave some context to the controversial reaction. Speaking to reporters after the 6-1 loss, the Leafs coach said Marner was trying to light a fire in his underperforming teammates.
"Frustration sets in when you don’t get everybody on board doing the right things and playing together as a team. That is what happens," Berube said in his postgame press conference.
Mitch Marner is HEATED after the Panthers 3 unanswered goals 😳 pic.twitter.com/F3HnjKKc7a
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 19, 2025
The Leafs coach added that his team didn't have the right "desperation" for a Game 7, especially after the grit they showed in winning Game 6 to force the elimination game.
"You can’t go into a game like tonight and have anybody not at their best," Berube said. "It doesn’t mean fancy plays or skilled plays. You are at your best when you are highly competitive, are winning your battles, and playing with desperation to win a hockey game. We didn’t do that tonight. That is why the result is the result."
Marner's actions on Sunday could have bigger implications given the lack of clarity on his future. The Leafs star is headed to free agency this summer, with no indication on whether he could return to Toronto.
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