Toronto Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs after 3-2 OT loss to Florida
Global News
The Florida Panthers scored the series-ending goal in overtime, sending the Leafs packing after five games despite Toronto's effort to fight back from a three-game deficit.
Morgan Rielly fought his emotions. John Tavares didn’t want to think about tomorrow. Auston Matthews lamented an opportunity missed. Mitch Marner said the belief remains intact.
The Maple Leafs’ season ended in overtime Friday night.
The difficult questions about what comes next have already started.
Nick Cousins scored at 15:32 of overtime and Sergei Bobrovsky made 50 saves as the Florida Panthers downed Toronto 3-2 to win the teams’ second-round series 4-1.
Cousins buried his second goal of the playoffs off the rush shortside on Leafs rookie Joseph Woll in the extra period to send his team to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 1996.
“You’re disappointed,” said Rielly, who scored for the Leafs and nearly had another.
“You feel for your teammates, you feel for everybody.”
Toronto now faces an uncertain future despite its playoff breakthrough against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round — a first for the organization in almost two decades.
