TORONTO – Head coach Craig Berube was left without answers, Auston Matthews offered no excuses, and Mitch Marner sought to move on quickly.
A dismal scene unfolded at Scotiabank Arena: half-empty seats, audible boos from the remaining fans, and even a couple of jerseys thrown onto the ice. It painted a bleak picture for the home team.
In the span of just a week, the Toronto Maple Leafs have plummeted from a commanding position to facing elimination.
They now face a single chance to rescue their season and regain some pride.
Demonstrating their championship calibre, the Florida Panthers delivered a dominant 6-1 victory over Toronto on Wednesday, seizing a 3-2 advantage in their second-round playoff series.
“It`s hard to explain,” admitted Berube, who was hired last spring with the goal of guiding the Leafs` skilled but underperforming roster past their playoff struggles.
“We all need to be better, and that includes me,” he added.
Tristan Blackwood