The final buzzer sounded like a welcome relief after the chaos, like a much-needed mercy. In this game, played in Toronto, the Florida Panthers crushed the Toronto Maple Leafs with a score of 6-1, taking a 3-2 series lead. Sam Reinhart recorded a pair of assists, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves.
Before this game, the last time these teams met on the ice, the Maple Leafs seemed full of hope for a strong performance, perhaps even an era-defining run. They had beaten the defending champions twice, taking a 2-0 series lead against the Florida Panthers, and traveled south with an air of steely optimism.
But the true test of a team`s strength isn`t just how it performs when everything goes smoothly, when precise strikes land and the opponent is reeling. The real test is the response to a strong blow, to being “punched in the mouth.”
This dismal performance at home saw old playoff struggles reappear, raising questions about the team`s resilience on the biggest stage.
