Maple Leafs brutally MOCKED by NHL fans after getting outplayed by Panthers in dominating Game 5 loss

Maple Leafs get criticized by NHL fans after their brutal Game 5 loss against Panthers, as Toronto carries on Stanley Cup drought.

Maple Leafs brutally MOCKED by NHL fans after getting outplayed by Panthers in dominating Game 5 loss

Maple Leafs loss Game 5 against Panthers [Image Credit: Sportsnet]

It was just a few weeks ago that the Toronto Maple Leafs were celebrating their Round 1 Stanley Cup qualification past Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately, the celebrations were short-lived as Florida Panthers forced Leafs to bow down with a 3-2 record in Game 5 of playoff contention.

The Leafs Stanley Cup drought will be carried onto next year as the team got eliminated by ‘The Cats’ in a 4-1 Round 2 loss. The “We Want Florida” chants died down in the arena as Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk took a brutal shot at Leafs’ fans following the loss.

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Tkachuk commented, “I don’t think they want Florida that much anymore. I wasn’t hearing many of those after that game and that may be the best part.” The Leafs got an earful not only from their fans but from the whole NHL fandom as they mocked the team for failing to push past their 56-year Stanley Cup drought.

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Related: WATCH: Roberto Luongo and the Panthers’ front office have an exciting post-match celebration after Game 5 win against Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ core players called out by NHL fans after brutal loss to Panthers

Auston Matthews and John Tavares [Image Credit: The Toronto Star]
Auston Matthews and John Tavares [Image Credit: The Toronto Star]

The fans were brutal in their evaluation as many held John Tavares, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner responsible for the team’s loss. The team’s core veteran players were asked to be opted out, especially Tavares.

One commented, “John Tavares’ inability to finish his chances is a huge reason the Leafs are down 3-1 in this series.” The Leafs’ captain lost several chances to score and boost the team’s records, as he only had 1 assist in 5 games in the 2nd Round.

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Unlike Tavares, whom the fans blasted, defenceman Morgan Rielly was praised by the fans for his efforts in the game. Fans also called out Matthews who remained scoreless against the Panthers despite tallying 40 goals in the regular season.

Leafs’ defense was rendered useless against Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky who recorded 7 wins and 2 losses in the 2022-23 playoff. The netminder carries a 3.08 goals-against-average and a .904 save percentage in his playoff career.

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Panthers coach Paul Maurice noted that the Leafs have an “interesting style of play” while praising Sheldon Keefe as a “phenomenal coach” in the league. Earlier in the series, the Panthers derailed regular-season champion Boston Bruins to advance to the Cup finals. 

Maurice spoke about how their game against Boston prepared them to face the Leafs, “Toronto is so dynamic. Nylander is an unusual player to be able to hang onto the puck as long as he does to create that open ice. We got the best possible prep to play Toronto in the Boston series. That conditioned us”.

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