Maple Leafs Player Openly Assumes Full Responsibility for Game 5 Loss

Even though the star Leafs players ended the game without a single point—Nicholas Robertson scored Toronto's lone goal on assists by Max Domi and Steven Lorentz—it was defenseman Chris Tanev who surprisingly took full responsibility for the result.

“I’ll take responsibility,” Tanev said. “I need to be better. If I’m a minus player, we’re probably not going to win the game. It’s on me. I’ll take responsibility for the game.”

Tanev finished the night a minus-2 as the Maple Leafs surrendered six goals in a pivotal home game, perhaps the last they'll play in Toronto this season if they cannot beat Florida in Game 6.

“Everybody’s got to look in the mirror, like I said, myself included,” Tanev said.

Toronto will now head to Sunrise, Florida, for Game 6 with their season on the line. The Leafs lost their two road games of the series, Game 3 in overtime and Game 4 in a shutout, and have now been outscored 14-5 across the last three contests.

“It’s something we have to learn from individually,” Tanev said. “And everyone, including myself, needs to be much better next game.”

Game 6 is scheduled for Friday night at Amerant Bank Arena with the Panthers leading the series 3-2 and a chance at making the Eastern Conference Finals in front of their fans.