The script has been completely flipped on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have seen their two-games-to-none lead over the Florida Panthers evaporate; they now trail three games to two.
The Panthers put on a scoring clinic on the Maple Leafs in Game 5 on Wednesday night in Toronto, winning in dominant fashion by a 6-1 final score and earning the chance to advance to a third straight Eastern Conference Final with a victory in the impending Game 6.
Maple Leafs Fans Unleashed Their Fury After Losing Game 5
The Maple Leafs fans who weren’t at Scotiabank Arena made it no secret that they couldn’t believe what they were witnessing.
Final. Game 6 Friday
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs)
This fan kept his response short and simple, saying, “Embarassing. Goodnight. 💤💤💤💤💤”
Another fan expressed sadness, saying, “What a sad performance. At home. Such a let down.”
This fan wanted major personnel changes, saying, “Matthews and Marner play like lil kids in the playoffs – time to get rid of em.”
One fan believed those who attended should get their money back, saying, “Anyone who paid for tickets to tonight’s game may have a case for a full refund. Only one of the teams showed up.”
This fan believed John Tavares was the only Leafs player to show a pulse, saying, “Tavares the only one of the core that seemed to care towards the end, starting a scrum. Everyone else tucked tail.”
Another fan compared his love of the Maple Leafs to an unhealthy relationship, saying, “Being a fan of this team is like being in an unhealthy, abusive relationship. I know I should leave, but I love you and I keep thinking things will change.”
And finally, this fan was ready to wave the white flag, saying, “It’s over. What an embarrassing performance. Yikes.”
Major Changes Coming To Maple Leafs With Game 6 Loss?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the verge of having their season once again come to a close in disappointing fashion, a feeling that fans of the team are all too familiar with. Toronto has the longest championship drought in all of professional hockey, having last raised the Stanley Cup in 1967, the final year when there were only six clubs in the sport.
Both Mitch Marner and John Tavares are pending unrestricted free agents, and one or both of them may not be back if Toronto’s campaign ultimately ends on Friday night in Game 6. Either way, if the Leafs fail to force Game 7, the feelings of disappointment that have essentially become an annual tradition in Ontario will once again be prevalent.
