Maple Leafs Suffer Another Playoff Elimination. What's Next?

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For the ninth year in a row, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been eliminated from the playoffs. This time they were eliminated by the Florida Panthers, and much like last year, in game seven. As for the Florida Panthers, they move on to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes advanced after beating the Washington Capitals in the Conference Semifinals, 4-1.

After a six-game series win over the Ottawa Senators, the Maple Leafs found themselves up 1-0 over the Panthers. However, all was not well in Toronto as starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz was taken out midway through the game after suffering a head injury from a collision with Sam Bennett.

Backup goaltender Joseph Woll started game two and was able to lead the Leafs to a 4-3 victory to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Although, their winning streak ended the next game as the Panthers beat the Leafs 5-4 in overtime.

Florida tied the series the following game as Sergei Bobrovsky shut out Toronto 2-0. Now tied at 2-2, the defending champs gained the edge. As Woll struggled, causing third-string goalie Matt Murray to be called in to finish the 6-1 loss.

In a thrilling game 6 in Florida, Woll turned his luck around, saving 22/22 as Auston Matthews and Max Pacioretty each scored to tie the series 3-3 with a 2-0 win.

At home for game 7, Toronto did what Maple Leaf fans are all too familiar with. Woll let in five and the Panthers scored a shorthanded goal for a 6-1 win. As a result, Florida moved on to the Conference Finals, which Toronto hasn’t reached since 2002.

Mitch Marner speaking with the bench during Game 7 vs the Florida Panthers

This playoff exit seems to mark the end of an era for Toronto. It is believed that Mitch Marner will hit the unrestricted free agent market with his contract expiring. Marner led the team in assists this season with 75 and points this season with 104.

Mitch Marner stated, “I don’t have any thoughts right now” about his future in Toronto, as he will discuss the situation with his wife and kids.

Last year after their first-round playoff exit, Toronto cleared house, releasing Head Coach Sheldon Keefe and hiring Craig Berube. First year GM Brad Treliving let the contracts of TJ Brodie, Tyler Bertuzzi, Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones and many more to expire. Furthermore, in an unforeseen move, Toronto stripped John Tavares of his captain seat awarding the “C” to Auston Matthews.

This season Matthews struggled however, he had suffered an injury in training camp. This made the season “very tough” for him according to David Pagnotta.

The focus for the Toronto Maple Leafs moves on to Marner’s future. As well as the direction Treliving takes the team. The Florida Panthers look to prepare for their second Eastern Conference Finals series in a row facing off with the Carolina Hurricanes.

About Post Author

Zachary Worstell

A Marietta College Student with three years of journalism experience writing for Marietta's Marcolian Online Newspaper. He was promoted to Editor in Chief of the Marcolian in 2023. A Pittsburgh native, he covers sports from the Pittsburgh region as well as Ohio and West Virginia.

zach102803@gmail.com

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