The Toronto Maple Leafs faced a disappointing 4-0 defeat against the Ottawa Senators in Game 5 of their playoff series, now leading the series 3-2. The spotlight fell on star players Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, whose performances were criticized by head coach Craig Berube. He noted their lack of speed and failure to create offensive opportunities, highlighting that the trio of Matthews, Marner, and Matthew Knies struggled defensively, being on the ice for all four Senators' goals.

Despite combining for 11 shots, the top line lacked effectiveness, with only Knies managing more than three shots. Matthews took responsibility for a critical turnover that led to a Senators goal. He emphasized the need for a gritty approach, acknowledging the importance of scoring 'greasy goals' as the playoffs progress. The Leafs' history in series-clinching games raises concerns as they have lost 13 of their last 14 attempts since 2018, heightening the stakes for their next game in Ottawa.