Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with overtime loss to Florida

Another season of high expectations has come to a disappointing – and some might say controversial – conclusion for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nick Cousins scored at 15:32 of overtim to give the Florida Panthers a 3-2 win to win the best-of-seven second round playoff series in five games.

Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe scored for the Panthers as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

Morgan Rielly cut the deficit to 2-1 in the second, then appeared to have scored the tying goal with just under three minutes left in the period. But after a seven minute-plus review officials determined the play had been blown dead before the puck crossed the goal line.

Official Review Explanation pic.twitter.com/ZZTp7cJnio

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 13, 2023

William Nylander did ultimately tie the game for Toronto with just under five minutes to go in the third – his second goal in as many games.

Toronto was attempting to become just the fifth team in NHL history to win a series after going down 3-0.

The last time they advanced past the second round of the playoffs was back in 2002.

Florida – who qualified for the playoffs with the fewest points – will meet the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round.

"I love these guys."

Morgan Rielly, when asked if he thinks the Maple Leafs core deserves another chance after ending the 19-year first-round drought. pic.twitter.com/T0v1KPgbAl

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 13, 2023

A number of questions and decision now face the Maple Leafs as they head into the off-season, starting in the front office with general manager Kyle Dubas who came into this season on an expiring contract. Back in training camp, Dubas said he fully expected to be judged on the full body of his work over the last five years. But after another heartbreaking exit from the playoffs, his fate and that of coach Sheldon Keefe hang in the balance.

There will also be questions asked about the “core four” of the team – Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, John Tavares and William Nylander – and if changes need to be made with this group going forward. That foursome scored just three times in the series against the Panthers.

Matthews, the five-time 40-goal scorer, was held without a goal in the series with the Panthers. He is eligible to sign a new contract in July and could test unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2024. Nylander, who had 40 goals this season for the first time in his career, has the same contract timeline as Matthews and could be a desirable player for other teams looking to add scoring in a trade.

Files from Sportsnet and The Canadian Press were used in this report