Leafs Eliminated in Game 7 as Panthers End Toronto’s Playoff Run
58-year Stanley Cup drought continues as Leafs fall 6–1 in decisive Game 7 at home
TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff hopes came crashing down Sunday night at Scotiabank Arena, as the Florida Panthers routed them 6–1 in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Toronto, which started the series with promise after grabbing a 2–0 lead, dropped four of the next five games to lose the series 4–3. The defeat marked the franchise’s seventh straight loss in a Game 7, tying an NHL record, and extended the team’s Stanley Cup drought to 58 years.
The game remained scoreless through the first period, but the Panthers erupted in the second with three goals in just over six minutes. Seth Jones opened the scoring at 6:43, followed quickly by Anton Lundell and Jonah Gadjovich to stun the home crowd and seize control.
Max Domi gave Toronto a glimmer of hope with a goal early in the third, but the momentum was short-lived. Florida answered with three more goals—one each from Eetu Luostarinen, Sam Reinhart, and Brad Marchand—putting the game, and the series, out of reach.
Goaltender Joseph Woll allowed five goals on 32 shots in the loss, while Sergei Bobrovsky made 34 saves for Florida in a commanding performance.
Core Questions Loom
The end of another playoff run without a championship has reignited debate about the future of Toronto’s core. Mitch Marner and John Tavares are both entering unrestricted free agency on July 1, and team President Brendan Shanahan is expected to address the media later this week.
Despite winning their first playoff series in back-to-back years, the Leafs were once again unable to break through to the Eastern Conference Final—a level they have not reached since 2002.
What’s Next
The Florida Panthers advance to the Eastern Conference Final where they will face the Carolina Hurricanes. Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Raleigh.
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