Maple Leafs Coach Had Words for His Players After Embarrassing Game 5 Loss

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one loss away from elimination following a 6-1 collapse on home ice to the Florida Panthers in Game 5.

While most of the blame was shared across the locker room, head coach Craig Berube offered a pointed postgame reflection that suggested the problem wasn’t the opponent, but a poor effort by the Leafs.

“I don’t think they came any harder than they have, to be honest with you,” Berube said. “I think we let them come tonight.

“We stood around and watched. You can’t do that. We have responded in the past. I expect a response from our team. We will talk about things and make some adjustments that are needed.

“But it is more about a mindset going into this Game 6. It is not Xs and Os.”

Aaron Ekblad opened the scoring for Florida in the first period before the Panthers went on to score three goals in the second period and two more in the third frame.

The Leafs got their only goal with just over a minute left in regulation, on a finish by Nicholas Robertson that earned primary and secondary assists to Max Domi and Steven Lorentz, respectively.

None of the Maple Leafs’ superstars notched a point in Game 5, having already failed to do so in Game 4’s shutout loss.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube talks to his players against the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena.John E&period; Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Berube, asked about the tone set early in the game, responded with a harsh assessment of his team’s readiness entering a pivotal Game 5 in their home arena.

“We played slow,” Berube said. “They were fast, they were on us, they were hungrier. That’s the first period, and that sets the tone for the game.

“They played a simple game tonight, and they were excellent at it. Very good. I mean, they did exactly what they needed to do.”

Game 6 between the Maple Leafs and the Panthers is scheduled for Friday in Sunrise, FL, with Toronto forced to win to keep the season alive, forcing Game 7 back in Canada.

Maple Leafs Coach Had Words for His Players After Embarrassing Game 5 Loss

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