Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers knocked the Toronto Maple Leafs out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in one of the most lopsided Game 7s in recent NHL history. Following the commanding victory at Scotiabank Arena, the Cats’ star voiced a very surprising statement, taking the high road after hammering the final nail in the coffin for Toronto.
The over 19,000 fans at Scotiabank Arena made their discomfort and blood-boiling frustration visible during the Leafs’ 6-1 defeat against the Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round. It was déjà vu for Toronto as its NHL season came to a crushing end in a winner takes all showdown, once more.
Groundhog Day arrived once again for the Maple Leafs in a Game 7. But this time, there’s a different feel in the air—this might actually be the end of an era. One that once seemed destined for Cups, banners, and glory, but instead became defined by collapses, boos, and rage.
It’s become an yearly tradition: the Maple Leafs fall short of their first Stanley Cup since 1967, and the media is out to feast on the organization and its stars. It’s a sorry sight—even for those with little love for Toronto, like Tkachuk. The Panthers forward, like others within the organization, offered a sincere statement, expressing sympathy for the Leafs, who are now bracing for an every-man-for-himself kind of NHL offseason.
Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“No, [I don’t think the Leafs laid an egg], we played well. Sometimes you feel bad for [the Maple Leafs],” Tkachuk said, during an appearance on the Spittin Chiclets podcast. “They have some unbelievable players and a great team.
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“If their team was not in Toronto dealing with all the crazy circus stuff outside of it, they’d be an unbelievable team. I feel bad. We don’t have to deal with that in Florida. They definitely didn’t lay an egg at all, they played us well, took us to Game 7.“
Maurice and Marchand share thoughts
In oddly amusing media availabilities, both Paul Maurice and Brad Marchand made surprising admissions, showing mercy following Toronto’s elimination. The Maple Leafs already had more than enough on their plate, with fans throwing debris and jerseys onto the ice. The Panthers, sensing the collapse, chose not to take any victory laps around the crestfallen, languishing Leafs.
Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers walks to the ice before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 16, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida
“It’s so much closer than you think. You’re going to kill these guys, and they don’t deserve it,” Maurice said during his press conference. “That’s the truth. This team is in that group of teams – like ours – where there’s 11 this year. Then there’s eight. They have a chance. So you’re going to assign a whole bunch of character flaws that just aren’t true.”
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“I think if you look at the heat this team catches, it’s actually really unfortunate. They’re getting crucified and I don’t think it’s justified,” Marchand stated in his postgame availability. “They’ve been working and building something really big here for a while and they were a different brand of hockey this year.“
Salt in the wounds
Whether the Leafs displayed a different brand of hockey, it ultimately wasn’t enough to defeat Marchand’s Panthers. The former Boston Bruins’ captain is now 5-0 against Toronto in playoff series, with each series being decided in a do-or-die Game 7. Marchand might have changed his colors and jersey, but his essence and spirit remain untouched, and so did his personal record against the Leafs.
Head coach Paul Maurice of the Florida Panthers looks on during third period action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 8, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
“I grew up a Leafs fan. I enjoy playing against the Leafs,” Marchand said, pushing the dagger even further into Toronto’s heart. “I’ve just happened to be part of good teams who have had the upper hand, but if you historically look at the games, I didn’t play well. It wasn’t me that beat them, it was our teams.“
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Marchand made it clear that his on-ice antics don’t always reflect his off-ice demeanor, as he delivered calm and collected remarks after Game 7—despite a chaotic series in which he didn’t shy away from doing whatever it took to get under Toronto’s skin.
