TORONTO — Auston Matthews felt too many players were merely going through the motions. Mitch Marner displayed his frustration vividly, tearing off his helmet and yelling at his teammates in a desperate attempt to awaken them.
Coach Craig Berube couldn`t provide an explanation for the team`s second consecutive poor performance on home ice, noting his players` failure to rise to the challenge in yet another high-pressure situation.
For the Maple Leafs – in what has regrettably become an annual fixture in the playoffs for hockey`s largest market, often accompanied by disheartened fans throwing jerseys onto the Scotiabank Arena ice – the task of picking up the pieces begins anew.
An uncertain future now faces the historic Original Six franchise following their latest playoff exit.
Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand were instrumental on Sunday, with each contributing a goal and two assists. Their offensive output spearheaded the Florida Panthers` dominant 6-1 victory over Toronto in Game 7, securing their advancement to the Eastern Conference Final and ending the Leafs` season.
