Toronto Maple Leafs Collapse in Game 7 as Florida Panthers Eliminate Them from NHL Playoffs 2025
TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs’ rollercoaster playoff run came to a devastating end Sunday night, as a seven-minute collapse in Game 7 led to a brutal 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena. The loss not only ended Toronto’s Stanley Cup Playoffs campaign, but also cast serious doubts on the future of the team’s core roster.
For fans wondering “did the Leafs win tonight?” or “who won the hockey game?”, the answer came loud and clear: Toronto’s dreams were crushed in the second period as the Panthers scored three goals in rapid succession, ending any momentum the Leafs had after a hard-fought Game 6 victory.
Head coach Craig Berube was blunt after the defeat:
“They were the better team tonight. They were the more desperate and aggressive team.”
It was a game filled with high expectations from Toronto Maple Leafs fans, many of whom hoped this would be the season the team would rewrite its playoff history. The Leafs entered Game 7 looking to build on their Game 6 success and finally silence doubters. Instead, they found themselves overwhelmed and outmatched by a relentless Florida squad.
Seven Minutes of Collapse
After a back-and-forth first period left both teams tied, the second frame spiraled into disaster for Toronto. Just three minutes in, Seth Jones scored on a quick transition, stunning the home crowd. Minutes later, Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell capitalized on a rebound to double the Panthers’ lead.
By the time Jonah Gadjovich scored Florida’s third in seven minutes, the Leafs were in free fall.
“It just got away from us,” admitted Auston Matthews.
“We had too many passengers… and once you’re down three, it’s hard to claw back against a team like that.”
Mitch Marner echoed the frustration:
“You can’t have passengers in a Game 7. It just sucks.”
Leafs Fans Show Their Discontent
As the Panthers continued to pile on, adding three more goals, fans at Scotiabank Arena made their disappointment clear. The arena echoed with boos, and fans threw beer cans and jerseys onto the ice — a scene now familiar to long-suffering Toronto supporters.
This defeat matched the largest margin of loss for a home team in a Game 7 in NHL playoff history. For the second time in a week, the Leafs were blown out 6-1 on home ice by the Panthers — a painful reminder of how far this team still is from becoming a real Stanley Cup contender.
What’s Next for Toronto?
With this crushing loss, questions now swirl around the futures of key players like Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and even Matthews. Fans across the Toronto Maple Leafs Reddit and NHL Reddit communities are already debating whether it’s time to break up the team’s core and begin a new era.
Coach Berube didn’t mince words:
“We didn’t get everybody on board. You can’t win a Game 7 unless everyone is competing at their best.”
A Familiar Ending
Despite high hopes, promising talent, and a memorable Game 6 road win, the Toronto Maple Leafs once again exited the postseason early. Their playoff struggles continue, leaving fans to ask the same questions:
“When did the Leafs last win the Cup?” and “Will next year be any different?”
