Leafs fall to Panthers in OT as standouts continue to flop

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe looks on from the bench against the Florida Panthers during overtime in Game 3 of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at FLA Live Arena. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Leafs fall to Panthers in OT as standouts continue to come up short

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/7/23

Following a 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Sunday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Toronto Maple Leafs are now staring elimination in the face as the team's standouts continue to come up small.

The core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander helped the Maple Leafs recently get over their first-round playoff hump. But so far against the Panthers, the foursomes' lackluster play is holding the Leafs back.

Through three games against Florida, Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Nylander have combined for only four points and a total of zero goals. That starkly contrasts their performance during the Leafs' opening-round win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, where they tallied 13 goals and 21 assists.

Leafs Core Four (Matthews/Marner/Tavares/Nylander) Combined Numbers

Vs Lightning: 13 Goals, 34 Points, 22 Even-Strength Points, +11 Rating

Vs Panthers: 0 Goals, 4 Points, 2 Even-Strength Points, -10 Rating
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 8, 2023

The unfortunate trend continued for the Leafs in Game 3. In Sunday's loss, Nylander was the only of the four to register a point, earning an assist.

Despite getting little, if anything, from their big guns, the Maple Leafs had a chance to steal Game 3 from the Panthers.

Toronto entered the third period tied with Florida 2-2. However, as it has all series, the Maple Leafs' offense failed to score a goal after the second period.

Following a scoreless third on both sides, Sam Reinhart netted the game-winner at 3:02 of the extra session, putting the Panthers a win away from the Eastern Conference Final.

SAM REINHART WINS IT! #StanleyCup

Sam Reinhart tucks home a wrap-around opportunity and gives the @FlaPanthers the 3-0 series lead. pic.twitter.com/ScuD71IonA
— NHL (@NHL) May 8, 2023

The Panthers will go for the series sweep when they host the Maple Leafs for Game 4 Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.

If the Leafs are to stave off elimination and keep the series alive in Game 4 and beyond, they'll need to start getting production from the players they've relied on to get here in the first place.

If not, it will be a long offseason of regret for the Leafs and possibly one of upheaval.

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