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The Toronto Maple Leafs have once again been eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in another early playoff exit.<\/p>\n
Toronto lost in Game 7 to the Florida Panthers in a game they got dominated. After another exit, it does appear the Core Four will be no more, so here are their five worst playoff games.<\/p>\n
Ranking the Maple Leafs’ Core Four\u2019s 5 worst playoff moments<\/strong><\/h2>\n#5, Florida Game 5, 2025<\/h3>\n
Toronto<\/a> got out to a 2-0 series lead, and the Maple Leafs had plenty of confidence they could take out the reigning Stanley Cup champions.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/template><\/p>\n
However, Toronto lost Games 3 and 4 but were competitive in both. In Game 5, back at home, the Maple Leafs had a chance to take control of the series.<\/p>\n
However, Toronto lost 6-1 and were blown out, and that really was the end of the series.<\/p>\n
#4, Boston, Game 7, 2019<\/h3>\n
In 2019, the Toronto Maple Leafs had a 3-2 series lead over the Boston Bruins in the first round.<\/p>\n
However, Toronto lost Game 6 4-2 at home. In Game 7, the Maple Leafs’ Core Four once again was invisible as Toronto lost 5-1.<\/p>\n
John Tavares scored the only goal, but once again, Auston Matthews <\/a>and Mitch Marner weren’t there when the going got tough. Boston dominated Toronto and ended their season in the first round again.<\/p>\n#3, Columbus, Game 5, 2020<\/h3>\n
In the bubble, the Toronto Maple Leafs had a best-of-five series against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a qualifying round.<\/p>\n
The Maple Leafs’ Core Four had started to get Cup expectations this season, but Columbus was up 2-1. In Game 4, the Maple Leafs played well to force a winner-take-all Game 5.<\/p>\n
However, in Game 5, Toronto was shut out 3-0 to lose in the qualifying round. In a winner-take-all game, the Maple Leafs’ superstars weren’t there, showing their lack of heart or killer instinct in the biggest games.<\/p>\n
#2, Montreal, Game 7, 2021<\/h3>\n
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ best chance to go on a deep playoff run was in 2021. The Maple Leafs played in the Canadian division and had a clear path to at least the Conference Finals.<\/p>\n
Toronto got up 3-1 in their first-round series against Montreal. Yet, the Canadiens won Games 5 and 6 in OT to force a Game 7. However, on paper. Toronto was so much better, but in a winner-take-all game, the Core Four once again disappeared.<\/p>\n
Toronto lost 3-1 in Game 7 to blow a 3-1 series lead and lose in the first round. This loss likely should have been the end of the Core Four.<\/p>\n
#1, Florida, Game 7, 2025<\/h3>\n
The Toronto Maple Leafs were on home ice in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers. Toronto went on the road and played one of their best games of the playoffs in Game 6 to force a Game 7.<\/p>\n
Yet, in Game 7, the story of the Core Four<\/a> not showing up in the biggest games happened again. Toronto lost 6-1 and was dominated at home. <\/p>\nNot only did the Maple Leafs lose the series, but this loss officially ended the Core Four as Toronto was booed off the ice.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n However, Toronto lost Games 3 and 4 but were competitive in both. In Game 5, back at home, the Maple Leafs had a chance to take control of the series.<\/p>\n However, Toronto lost 6-1 and were blown out, and that really was the end of the series.<\/p>\n In 2019, the Toronto Maple Leafs had a 3-2 series lead over the Boston Bruins in the first round.<\/p>\n However, Toronto lost Game 6 4-2 at home. In Game 7, the Maple Leafs’ Core Four once again was invisible as Toronto lost 5-1.<\/p>\n John Tavares scored the only goal, but once again, Auston Matthews <\/a>and Mitch Marner weren’t there when the going got tough. Boston dominated Toronto and ended their season in the first round again.<\/p>\n In the bubble, the Toronto Maple Leafs had a best-of-five series against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a qualifying round.<\/p>\n The Maple Leafs’ Core Four had started to get Cup expectations this season, but Columbus was up 2-1. In Game 4, the Maple Leafs played well to force a winner-take-all Game 5.<\/p>\n However, in Game 5, Toronto was shut out 3-0 to lose in the qualifying round. In a winner-take-all game, the Maple Leafs’ superstars weren’t there, showing their lack of heart or killer instinct in the biggest games.<\/p>\n The Toronto Maple Leafs’ best chance to go on a deep playoff run was in 2021. The Maple Leafs played in the Canadian division and had a clear path to at least the Conference Finals.<\/p>\n Toronto got up 3-1 in their first-round series against Montreal. Yet, the Canadiens won Games 5 and 6 in OT to force a Game 7. However, on paper. Toronto was so much better, but in a winner-take-all game, the Core Four once again disappeared.<\/p>\n Toronto lost 3-1 in Game 7 to blow a 3-1 series lead and lose in the first round. This loss likely should have been the end of the Core Four.<\/p>\n The Toronto Maple Leafs were on home ice in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers. Toronto went on the road and played one of their best games of the playoffs in Game 6 to force a Game 7.<\/p>\n Yet, in Game 7, the story of the Core Four<\/a> not showing up in the biggest games happened again. Toronto lost 6-1 and was dominated at home. <\/p>\n Not only did the Maple Leafs lose the series, but this loss officially ended the Core Four as Toronto was booed off the ice.<\/p>\n#4, Boston, Game 7, 2019<\/h3>\n
#3, Columbus, Game 5, 2020<\/h3>\n
#2, Montreal, Game 7, 2021<\/h3>\n
#1, Florida, Game 7, 2025<\/h3>\n