Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube acknowledges errors as the team experiences shocking defeat in Game 5.
Toronto Maple Leafs Fans: Frustrated and Dissatisfied with Post-Game Excuses
Toronto Maple Leafs fans are tired of the excuses during post-game press conferences. Exactly why they let go of Sheldon Keefe and replaced him with Craig Berube - he's got a no-nonsense attitude. Some of the players kept dishing out the same worn-out comments following their Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers. But not Berube. He took direct responsibility and put the blame squarely on himself and the players.
"Tonight was a mess," Berube said to the reporters. "There were mistakes galore."
Toronto showed up flat in Game 5, looking like a team floundering in the series rather than tied 2-2. Florida put the pressure on, and if it wasn't for Joseph Woll, the scoreline could've been lopsided much more quickly. The Maple Leafs went into the second period already trailing 1-0, and three goals in eight minutes for the Panthers effectively put an end to their comeback hopes. Berube recognized the same issue.
"I can't sugarcoat it. We struggled in the first period, and our play overall was disappointing," Berube admitted.
It's a daunting task for the Maple Leafs to get on a plane and try to extend the series to Game 7. But make no mistake, Toronto has shown an uncanny knack for salvaging their most momentous heartbreak in Game 7s.
Maple Leafs: Champions of the Final Heartbreak
The Maple Leafs' notorious playoff chokes rest largely in their inability to seal the deal in Game 7. They've done it before, like beating the Boston Bruins in Game 6 after being down in the series, giving their fans hope. But it's usually in Game 7 that their stars crumble under the pressure, fanning the flames of the "Core Four" controversy.
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have been a part of the problem in previous years. Matthews hasn't found the back of the net in five games, while Marner's poor defense has cost the team some crucial goals. If they don't manage to turn things around in Game 6, a Game 7 may not even be an option, and Marner's tenure at Scotiabank Arena might be coming to an end with his impending free agency.
It's anyone's guess what will happen in Game 6, but it'd be classic Maple Leafs fashion to dominate and offer their fans a glimmer of hope, only to suffer another soul-crushing defeat in Game 7. Will Craig Berube find the secret to changing that narrative?
Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7 History
Toronto has had a mixed record in Game 7s, with a 12-15 win-loss split[4]. The team's struggles in critical playoff games have a long and storied history.
In recent years, the Maple Leafs have endured several heartbreaking playoff losses, including multiple Game 7 defeats. For example, in 2018, they lost to the Boston Bruins, and in 2024, they were once more defeated in Game 7 by the Bruins[3]. Despite these crushing losses, the team has demonstrated determination and resilience to improve its overall playoff performance.
Players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have been instrumental in the Maple Leafs' playoff efforts and have been part of the team's core since their NHL debuts. While they've contributed significantly on the ice, the team's penchant for struggling in decisive games, such as Game 7s, has occasionally impacted their performances[3].
Will Berube bring a new mentality to the team and help the Maple Leafs turn the tide in Game 7? Only time will tell.
"Despite their inconsistent performance in Game 7s, the Maple Leafs, under Craig Berube, aim to change their narrative and break their habit of choking in the final playoff game, a tradition seen in their losses to the Boston Bruins in 2018 and 2024."
"If the Maple Leafs manage to win Game 6, it would be reminiscent of their past performances, such as their comeback win against the Boston Bruins in Game 6 (where they were down in the series), but the ultimate test would be in the decisive Game 7 of the NHL playoffs."
