The Toronto Maple Leafs needed a near-perfect performance in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers — especially on home ice after a humbling 6–1 loss in Game 5. But they simply weren’t up to the challenge. The Panthers came in confident, relentless, and completely in control. For the second time in three games, Florida dominated Toronto with another 6–1 statement win. From puck drop to final buzzer, the Maple Leafs were outskated, outmuscled, and outclassed.

Here are three takeaways from a frustrating and decisive Game 7.

Takeaway 1: Confidence Was the Deciding Factor for the Maple Leafs

Games 5 and 7 weren’t just about execution — they were about belief. The Panthers played like a team that knew they were going to win. The Maple Leafs? They were hoping for a break. There’s a huge difference between thinking you can win and knowing you will.

From Auston Matthews to Joseph Woll, a lack of confidence radiated through the lineup. Florida, by contrast, played with swagger and certainty, which gave them the edge in every key moment.

Takeaway 2. Goalie Joseph Woll Regressed at the Worst Possible Time

Joseph Woll had earned the start in Game 7 after a shutout performance earlier in the series and a solid track record in elimination games. But this one got away from him quickly. The first and fourth goals were particularly shaky. On the opening goal, Woll appeared to shrink in the crease — a habit he displayed early in his AHL career with the Marlies. If you watch the Maple Leafs’ own replay, the final camera angle shows him compacting his body, exposing the top of the net.

The second goal, a deflection from a tough angle, beat him short side — a spot goalies are trained to seal off at all times. In hindsight, after giving up three goals on six shots early in the second period, the Maple Leafs might’ve considered turning to Anthony Stolarz off the bench.

Takeaway 3. Florida Imposed Their Will on Toronto — Again

The Maple Leafs were beaten in nearly every aspect of the game. The Panthers dictated pace, won puck battles, dominated faceoffs, and suffocated Toronto’s offense with disciplined structure and unrelenting pressure. It was clear which team had the stronger identity.

Toronto, once again, struggled to respond when things didn’t go its way. Florida’s speed and physicality overwhelmed them, and the Leafs had no answer. Game 7 wasn’t close, and it wasn’t fluky. It was a repeat of Game 5. The better team won.

A Final Thought for the Maple Leafs

There will be lots of time to dissect what comes next for the Maple Leafs. But in the immediate aftermath, one truth stands out: the Panthers played like a team built for playoff hockey. The Maple Leafs are still trying to put that kind of team together.

Related: Game 7 Between the Maple Leafs and Panthers Could Be Special