The Florida Panthers crushed the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, beating them 6-1 in Game 7 to reach their third straight Eastern Conference Final.
In the aftermath of another collapse from Toronto’s Core Four, two Panthers figures unexpectedly came to their defense, including the main nemesis of the team during their recent history.
Brad Marchand, who scored once and added two assists in the win, called the level of scrutiny Toronto players face from their fan base excessive.
“I think if you look at the heat this team catches, it’s actually really unfortunate,” Marchand said. “They’ve been working and building something really big here for a while, and they were a different brand of hockey this year.
”They’re getting crucified, and I don’t think it’s justified.”
Marchand, now 5-0 in Game 7s against the Leafs, pointed to the weight of expectations in a city where hockey is a religion but heartbreak is becoming too familiar.
Meanwhile, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice echoed Marchand’s remarks during his postgame media availability.
“This is a much better team than we played two years ago,” Maurice said. “You’re going to assign a bunch of character flaws that just aren’t true.”
Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena.
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Berube, coaching Toronto in his first year under contract after winning the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, said the Leafs’ issues aren’t about character or talent, but just a steady mental block.
“For me, it’s all between the ears,” Berube said. “It’s a mindset.”
While the Leafs enter the offseason facing major roster decisions, including the futures of star forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares, the Panthers move on to face the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final starting Tuesday.
