Auston Matthews observed a lack of required effort from some players. Mitch Marner, showing clear frustration, took off his helmet and yelled, attempting to inject some urgency into his teammates.
Coach Craig Berube was at a loss to explain the second consecutive poor performance on home ice, noting his team`s failure to meet the challenge in yet another crucial moment.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, it`s a familiar scenario in hockey`s largest market: dealing with the aftermath of a playoff elimination, a tradition often marked by disappointed fans throwing jerseys onto the ice at Scotiabank Arena.
An off-season filled with uncertainty now awaits the Original Six franchise following this latest post-season disappointment.
The decisive end came on Sunday as Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand each contributed three points, powering the Florida Panthers to a dominant 6-1 victory over Toronto in the seventh game, thus winning the second-round series.
Tristan Blackwood