Game seven of the second round in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs get defeated by the Florida Panthers, with a score of 6-1.

On home ice, in a do or die game, it was a pathetic performance from the 2024-25 Toronto Maple Leafs. You would think that they’d play with some aggression and urgency in a series clinching game. You’d think. On the contrary, the Maple Leafs were dominated on home ice yet again, much like they were in their 6-1 loss in Game 5.

Toronto and Florida went scoreless in the first period, with Florida taking control of the first half of the period, and Toronto taking control of the second half of the period. Florida went on to score 3 goals in the first 10 minutes of the game, then another 3 goals in the third period, one being an empty-netter from noted Leaf Killer Brad Marchand. The Maple Leafs got booed off the ice in the second period, and got booed as the game came to a close in the third, much like what happened in game 5.

According to Sportsnet Stats, the Maple Leafs’ 75 shot attempts allowed to that point were the most by any team this season through two periods, either in the regular season or the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This happened in game 7 of the second round. How awful do you have to play to get absolutely dominated like this, on home ice nonetheless, in a series clinching game?

It’s another season of pain and heartbreak for the Maple Leafs, but also their fans. It seems like it has been pointed out a lot more this season than others, with the “noise” surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs and putting the blame on the “noise” and “pressure” this team faces.

Are you kidding me? You’re going to call the Toronto faithful, the people that stick by this team every year, hoping that something new changes while it’s the same old heartbreak, “noise”?

Does the “noise” prevent Matthews and Marner from being on the scoresheet? In fact, in the six game 7’s that they have played, they combined for zero goals.

Zero. That’s how many goals I’ve scored in the National Hockey League.

Matthews was asked why he thought the Leafs came out flat to start the game.

“I thought the first 10 minutes they came out strong,” he said. “And the next 10 minutes I thought we controlled play.” After that, it was a pathetic response. “We had too many passengers,” he said.

It’s been too long that the Maple Leafs try to compete with this core. This season is the season that there has to be change. This offseason, things seem to fall into place to shake the core up. Mitch Marner and John Tavares both are unrestricted free agents. It seems like the writing is on the wall that Mitch Marner’s time in Toronto has come to a close.

“I don’t have any thoughts on that right now,” the 28-year-old said. “I mean, pretty devastated with what just happened.” Marner then mentioned later, “Yeah, devastated. I’ve always enjoyed this team and this city, like I always said.” Leafs fans picked up that Marner spoke in the past tense.

Tavares on the other hand, has openly stated that he wants to return to the Maple Leafs. In the seven seasons Tavares has played as a Maple Leaf, he’s had at least 26 goals in all but one of those, the one exception being the 56-game shortened season in 2020-21.

“It’s meant everything to me,” Tavares said of being a Maple Leaf. “You know, it was a big decision I made seven years ago, and I’ve loved it. It’s been amazing for me and my family.”

Regardless of what the players say, something has to change. If that comes at the cost of not resigning Mitch Marner, then so be it. Leafs Nation is tired of mediocrity. With the $11M coming off the books that Mitch previously commanded, there are a lot of options for the Leafs this offseason. Their biggest priority should be signing Matthew Knies to a long term deal.

No matter the cost, a change needs to happen, and the Leafs are in no better position to make a change then right now. Leafs Nation would be furious if they iced this same team with small changes in October. Let’s hope that the Maple Leafs now see the vision, and that Brad Treliving will do what Kyle Dubas wouldn’t: shake up the Toronto Maple Leafs.