In Game 6, Matthews, Marner, and the Toronto Maple Leafs face immense pressure to prove themselves; their loss carries added consequences.
Gut-Check Time for the Leafs
Nick Kypreos's Unfiltered Analysis
Nick Kypreos, a former NHL player, Stanley Cup champion, and host of Sportsnet's Real Kyper and Bourne radio show, weighs in on the latest playoff drama surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In your face, Leafs fans! Are we really back to the heartbreak storyline? Remember Paul MacLean's chilling words in 2021 after blowing a 3-1 lead against the Canadiens? Well, it seems like history is repeating itself.
This year's team, winners of the Atlantic Division, have given us a different vibe. Big changes in coaches, tougher defense, stellar goalkeeping—it felt like a fresh start and a change from the past eight years of playoff failures. But as it turns out, the ghosts of playoff past are still lurking.
A two-game losing streak in series-clinching games this week brings their record down to an embarrassing 1-13 since 2018. Moreover, their star players Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have combined for just four goals and 10 assists in those crucial games. Yikes! It's a demoralizing stat that serves as a grim reminder of their choking tendencies.
So, here we are, facing Game 6 against the Ottawa Senators. Technically, there are two games left, but the truth is, this game is their Game 7. Lose it, and the Leafs might as well call it a season. The home fans are already growing restless, and who can blame them? Booing a team that once seemed destined for a deep playoff run has to be disheartening for the players.
Imagine, if they fail to win Game 7 in front of their home crowd after having a 3-0 series lead? It's a scenario that would shatter the confidence of any fan base and could have dire consequences for a potential second-round matchup.
But wait, don't count them out just yet! In 2020, many of these same Leafs dug deep against the Tampa Bay Lightning, eventually knocking out future Hall of Famers like Vasilevskiy, Stamkos, Hedman, Kucherov, and Point on the road.
So, can they do it again? Do they have what it takes to end the seasons of Stützle, Tkachuk, Batherson, and Ullmark? Me? I'm keeping the faith. As MacLean once said, "They're good players, we've gotta get through this." And the Leafs will have to do just that if they want to make it past this round and prove the doubters wrong.
Kyper's Korner
- With Rick Tocchet leaving the Vancouver Canucks, money may have played a significant role in his decision. The Canucks couldn't meet the salary expectations of Tocchet and his team[2].
- Rumors have been swirling about the Aquilini family potentially selling part or all of the Canucks. The family, who own the hockey club, may have grown tired of the constant drama surrounding the team[3].
- Mike Sullivan, a free agent coach, is expected to command a hefty salary—beginning at $7 million (U.S.) per year—in a bidding war between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins[4].
A Clarification:This article discusses the playoff struggles of the Toronto Maple Leafs, touching upon events in previous years, but the main focus is on their performance in the 2025 playoffs. While the query mentions the 2022 playoffs, the information in this piece primarily relates to the 2025 season.
- Nick Kypreos, known for his contributions to Sportsnet's media, strongly criticized the Toronto Maple Leafs' performance in the 2025 playoffs, likening their current situation to past playoff dramas.
- In stark contrast to the team's impressive regular season performance, the Leafs have shown poor form in crucial games, with a demoralizing 1-13 record in game-clinching games since 2018.
- Star players Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have underperformed in these crucial games, scoring just four goals and providing ten assists collectively.
- The Leafs' current two-game losing streak has raised concerns, and a loss in Game 6 against the Ottawa Senators could potentially signal the end of their season.
- Despite the grim statistics, Kypreos remains optimistic, recalling the Leafs' 2020 performance against the Tampa Bay Lightning and their ability to overcome adversity.
- The Leafs face a tough challenge in their potential second-round matchup, with players like Stützle, Tkachuk, Batherson, and Ullmark to contend with, but Kypreos believes they have the potential to prove the doubters wrong and push through this difficult period in their hockey careers.
