Maple Leafs Superstars Still Struggle in Crucial Games

The Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down yet another playoff collapse following their horrendous Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers. After starting the series with a 2-0 lead, the Maple Leafs have lost three straight and are on the brink of an early elimination for the ninth consecutive year.

The Panthers walked away from Game 5 with a blowout win, defeating the Maple Leafs 6-1 in front of their home crowd. Jerseys were tossed on the ice, boos were hurled, and fans left early with captain Auston Matthews noting they didn’t give them much to hang around for.

Matthews is at the center of a lot of criticisms against the Maple Leafs this series, having yet to score a goal against the Panthers. His postseason struggles, more particularly in crucial late-round games, are nothing new in Toronto.

Between Matthews and fellow superstar forward Mitch Marner, the two combine for some less than stellar stats in Games 5 through 7 on home ice in their careers. In 13 chances in late-series games, Matthews and Marner combine for five goals, 13 total points, no points on the power play, and are a minus-13.