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Auston Matthews' Stern Message to Maple Leafs After Losing Game 5 to Panthers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 15, 2025 8:50 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs delivered one of their worst playoff performances in recent memory on Wednesday night, unraveling in a to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of their second-round series.

A 2-0 series lead has now flipped into a 3-2 deficit, with the Leafs staring down another early postseason exit.

Auston Matthews, who has now gone ten straight second-round games without a goal, spoke about the mindset of the team following the loss.

"I think everybody's got to look in the mirror, myself included," Matthews said. "Everybody wants to be better, everybody wants to, obviously, win.

"We've been a great road team all season long. There's always going to be belief in this group and confidence in this group from what we've built off throughout the year.

"It's got to be our best game of the year."

Auston Matthews: "I think everybody's got to look in the mirror, myself included."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 15, 2025

On Wednesday, Matthews finished with a minus-2 rating, logging six shots, two blocks, and one hit through 18:06 of ice time.

After failing to score in Game 5, Matthews, who has just three points in the series against the Panthers but none in the last two outings, has yet to score a goal against Florida this postseason.

The top of the Leafs’ lineup failed to show up again as none of Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, or John Tavares scored a point in Game 5.

Marner called it "sloppy play" and said the group gave away too many chances.

“Sloppy play. Not hard enough working. Giving away too many opportunities around our net. There’s a good list of it,” Marner said. “I don’t think anyone’s happy about it.”

Now down 3-2, the Leafs will try to extend their season in Game 6 on Friday in Florida in what has turned into a must-win game for Toronto.

"We’ve got to win a game to keep our season alive," Matthews said. "We’ve bounced back all year. It’s no different than now."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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