‘This was the worst performance we’ve seen in a long time in a game that had so many implications.’
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It started during Game 5 on Wednesday night, when Maple Leafs fans showered the team in boos as the contest against Florida Panthers began to get out of hand on the scoreboard.
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Leafs Nation showed its displeasure with the squad — with a few jerseys even thrown on the ice at Scotiabank Arena and many fans leaving long before the game had officially ended.
There’s been MULTIPLE Leafs jerseys thrown on the ice in this 3rd period 😶 pic.twitter.com/zVBblVDTDQ
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The harsh thoughts towards the team didn’t stop there, with social media exploding with criticisms of the Leafs.
During an intermission on ESPN’s broadcast of the Oilers-Golden Knights game later on Wednesday night, the panel of former NHL stars tore into the Toronto stars.
“The lack of emotion I see, I would be pissed off,” said Chris Pronger, a former Hart Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champ. “I would be sitting there dejected, at a loss for words as to how we just laid an egg in … potential their careers.
“Toronto did not come to play,” he added.
The ESPN NHL crew on the Maple Leafs…
Chris Pronger: “The lack of emotion I see… I would be pissed off.”
Mark Messier: “This what was the worst performance we’ve seen in a long time…”
P.K. Subban: “Embarrassing… If they lose this series, there has to be a change…” pic.twitter.com/sSDo5wSAcj
“This was the worst performance we’ve seen in a long time in a game that had so many implications,” said Mark Messier, one of the greatest leaders the sport has ever seen. “They have to come back and show some character in Game 6 because that was not a good performance.”
P.K. Subban called the Leafs “the definition of mediocrity,” while also calling out team president Brendan Shanahan for the squad’s repeated playoff failures.
The former Norris Trophy winner pointed out the team’s two series wins in two decades.
“Brendan Shanahan has to be asking himself ‘what do I have to do?’ but also has to look at himself in the mirror,” he said. “He went out and acquired all these players, coaches and GMs, it hasn’t worked out.
“This was the biggest game for them in the past two decades. A 6-1 loss in front of your fans is embarrassing,” Subban continued, adding that “if they lose this series, there has to be a change, there has to be a change in leadership … it’s unacceptable.”
Big Cat of Barstool Sports noticed the team’s official account neglected to include the score in their post-game post.
Post the final score https://t.co/E3NCBsohgq
“Post the final score,” he wrote in reply to the team’s X simple post of: “Final. Game 6 Friday.”
Another fan took a comical view of the situation, posting an ad mock-up for Diamond and Diamond personal injury lawyers.
“Have you ever found yourself emotionally invested in the Toronto Maple Leafs? Has watching them in the playoffs ever make (sic) you think about walking into the sea? Do you hate yourself for foolishly allowing the hope sink in? You may be entitled to financial compensation,” the post read.
“Have you ever found yourself emotionally invested in the Toronto Maple Leafs? Has watching them in the playoffs ever make you think about walking into the sea? Do you hate yourself for foolishly allowing the hope sink in? You may be entitled to financial compensation.” pic.twitter.com/R4kXyUYA4H
One fan on X took sharp aim at Mitch Marner, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season ends.
“This guy looks like he just won a f***ing spelling bee. No emotion. Nothing. No heart. No desire. NOTHING,” a user named Rad Treliving posted with a pic of the all-star winger post-game.
“I cannot wait to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs without this person wearing that jersey. What a legacy to have.”
Another fan posted a good ‘what-if’ scenario about a potential deadline deal that Marner shot down.
“Is this a great time to remind everybody that Mitch Marner used his NMC at the trade deadline and prevented the Maple Leafs from getting Mikko Rantanen?” Jose Taboada posted on X.
Rantanen has been on fire for the Dallas Stars in the playoffs after being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in March.
The flying Finn leads all playoff scorers with nine goals and 19 points in 11 games heading into Game 5 against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
On the other hand, Marner has just 13 goals in 68 career playoff games.
The Leafs fly down to Sunrise, Fla., for Friday’s Game 6 hoping for a better effort to force a Game 7 back in Toronto on Sunday.
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