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Chris Tanev Takes Responsibility for Embarrassing Maple Leafs Loss to the Panthers

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 15, 2025 9:23 AM ET

Chris Tanev is one of the best leaders in the entire NHL, and after his team was humiliated on Wednesday, he's taken full responsibility for the loss.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a chance to turn the tide in their second round series with the Florida Panthers, but now, they face a 3-2 deficit in this matchup following a 6-1 humiliating defeat on Wednesday night.

While the Panthers were clearly at their best as they have been over this three-game win streak, the Maple Leafs made it much harder on themselves than it needed to be, with plenty of blame to go around.

From struggling to score to allowing four goals in the first two periods of the game, the Maple Leafs struggled all over the ice, but after the defeat, veteran defenseman Chris Tanev stood up in front of the media and took responsibility for the defeat.

'I'll take responsibility. I need to be better, so if I'm a minus player, probably not going to win the game. It's on me. I'll take responsibility for the game.'

While Tanev was a -2 in this game, he's been a +5 throughout this post-season while adding 3 points through 11 games thus far, and it's safe to say that the fans have credited him for owning up to his struggles in this loss.

Those fans have also used this statement as a way to call out Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, two players who have not stepped up the way that they should in this series, those fans are hoping to see them take responsibility as well.

Ultimately, Tanev has been an absolute warrior for the Maple Leafs this season, but he wasn't at his best on Wednesday night in the 6-1 defeat, but after taking responsibility, he'll no doubt give it his all again on Friday as the Leafs look to push for a Game 7 back in Toronto.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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