The Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff run came to an abrupt halt in a decisive Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers, who triumphed 6-1. This defeat marked the fifth career Game 7 win over the Maple Leafs for Brad Marchand, now dubbed the "Maple Leafs Executioner." In an unexpected show of humility, Marchand credited the collective strength of his team over his individual performance, insisting that success in these crucial games results from deep team dynamics rather than individual prowess.

After a scoreless first period, the Panthers exploded with three goals in just over six minutes during the second, showcasing their offensive depth. The Leafs managed only a single goal from Max Domi before the Panthers secured their place in the Eastern Conference Final, including Marchand's empty-netter, as they aim for back-to-back Stanley Cups.