Calm in the Chaos: Maple Leafs Stay Cool Under Pressure

Old Prof May 6, 2025 in Banner News, Featured, NHL, Toronto Maple Leafs Tagged Toronto Maple Leafs - 2 Minutes

For two periods, it looked like the Toronto Maple Leafs would open the series with something rare in playoff hockey: a calm, stress-free win. They were outskating the Florida Panthers, dictating pace, and when Anthony Stolarz left the game, it seemed the perfect chance to ease Joseph Woll into some playoff minutes without too much pressure. It felt like things might tilt mentally in Toronto’s favor — a fast start that could get into Florida’s heads.

In the end, the Maple Leafs did win by a score of 5-4. But it got harder than it started.

Then Came the Maple Leafs’ Third Period, But No Panic

After two solid periods, then the third period hit the Maple Leafs.

Two quick goals from the Panthers, with Brad Marchand’s fingerprints on them. Suddenly, it felt like a familiar nightmare. That old, unwelcome memory for longtime Maple Leafs fans of 2013 — the 4–1 blown lead against Boston — crept back in. You could almost hear the ghosts stirring.

But this time, there was no unraveling. Craig Berube called a timely timeout, and from that moment, the Maple Leafs found their footing again. They pushed back. Max Domi and Auston Matthews both had prime scoring chances, and when Matthew Knies buried his opportunity, it felt like Toronto had reasserted control. Even after Florida clawed back to make it 5–4, the Maple Leafs didn’t look panicked. They didn’t look like a team cracking under the weight of the moment. They looked composed — like a group that’s learning to handle the inevitable swings of playoff hockey.

Anthony Stolarz Maple Leafs playoffs — Is Anthony Stolarz out of the Maple Leafs playoffs?

Now the Question Is Anthony Stolarz

Now, all eyes turn to the status of Stolarz. His health will be a key factor from now on, but there’s a belief in Woll’s ability to step in if needed. Still, there’s no denying it: for whatever reason, the Maple Leafs seem to play better in front of Stolarz.

That’s something to monitor. But for now, this was a big step, not just a win, but a win that showed growth. The Maple Leafs took a hard punch and didn’t flinch. That, more than anything, is how playoff teams get built.