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NHL Insider Calls Out 2 Maple Leafs Stars for Not Caring

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 16, 2025 7:22 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs were outplayed in every facet of their 6-1 home loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 5.

Down 3-2 in the series, they now face elimination, and criticism has intensified around the team's top stars, who already suffered the ire of the Toronto crowd during Wednesday's collapse.

Team captain Auston Matthews and star winger Mitch Marner were again held off the scoresheet. Matthews has yet to score in the second round, while Marner finished Game 5 with a critical turnover leading to a Panthers goal, no points, and just one shot on goal.

"I just can’t be convinced these guys care the way other people do," Sportsnet's analyst JD Bunkis said on the "Leafs Talk" show following the Game 5 loss.

"Do you not care? How can you not be pissed off about this? Just look angry. It's the same thing over and over."@JDBunkis, @SamAMcKee & @jtbourne on the efforts from Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in Game 5. #LeafsForever

https://t.co/VcFBnEGBld
https://t.co/LCcJufIG8S pic.twitter.com/ua8y6pWy4e
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) May 15, 2025

"After the game, they asked Marner about the no shots, and he said he’s just trying to get shots through sticks, that’s my game," Bunkis said. "That’s your game, brother? Your game is no shots in two games against the Florida Panthers?

"I just don’t think you two care. I’m sorry, I’m done pretending. Do you not care? How can you not be pissed off about this? Just look angry.

"It’s the same thing over and over."

Marner was asked postgame about the team’s performance and his mindset heading into Game 6.

"Some 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. Time to reset, time to refocus, get ready for our flight tomorrow, go into Florida and play a hockey game."

Matthews, meanwhile, addressed the fan reaction and Toronto's poor showing on home ice.

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

The Maple Leafs will look to keep their season alive in Game 6, which is scheduled for Friday, May 16, at 8 p.m. ET in Sunrise, Florida.

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

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