Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe (23) and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) battle for position in overtime in Game 5. Earlier in the game, controversy surrounded a no-goal call on Rielly. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Controversial call dooms Leafs in elimination loss to Panthers

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/12/23

The Toronto Maple Leafs season came to an excruciating end Friday, as they fell to the Florida Panthers, 3-2, in overtime of Game 5.

While the Leafs needed a miracle to get back into a series which they were losing 3-1, a controversial no-goal call in the second period of Game 5 may have derailed their already-slim chances altogether.

Trailing the Panthers 2-1 late in the second period, the Leafs' Morgan Rielly appeared to notch the equalizer, barely pushing the puck past the goal line on a play that drew an official review.

While it was not clear at first whether the puck had crossed the goal line, replays confirmed the fact. Despite video evidence showing a good goal and whistles sounding after the play had concluded, though, officials ruled the intent of the closest ref was to blow the play dead before the puck crossed the goal line, wiping the tally off the board.

No goal for Morgan Rielly as the play was deemed dead before the puck crossed the line#LeafsForever | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/ff3JprwMar
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 13, 2023

Instead of heading into the third period tied with the Panthers, the Maple Leafs were down by one goal still. To Toronto's credit, they eventually knotted things up in the third despite the rough call, with William Nylander scoring at the 15:33 mark to force overtime.

That extra session did not go the Maple Leafs' way. At 15:32 into the extra stanza, Nick Cousins wristed one past Joseph Woll to send the Panthers to the Eastern Conference Finals.

NICK COUSINS CALLED GAME!! #StanleyCup

Nick Cousins (@Cous27) sends the @FlaPanthers to the Conference Finals with his overtime winner!! pic.twitter.com/kcozZIcGmj
— NHL (@NHL) May 13, 2023

Looping back to the beginning of the contest, Florida jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in Game 5 thanks to first-period goals from Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe. The Panthers weathered the storm from there, ultimately coming up clutch in OT. With the win, the Panthers advance to the conference finals for only the second time in the franchise's history and the first time since 1996.

Florida advances to take on the Carolina Hurricanes for the right to play for Lord Stanley's Cup. As for the Maple Leafs, an offseason of what-ifs awaits. Following a 50-21-11 regular-season campaign, the Leafs undoubtedly envisioned a deeper postseason run.

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