The Toronto Maple Leafs forced Game 7 against the Florida Panthers for a chance to play in the Eastern Conference final. The Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] beat the Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-falter-on-home-ice-heading-back-to-toronto-for-game-7] 2-0 Friday, with goaltender Joseph Woll recording his first playoff shutout. Auston Matthews broke a 0-0 deadlock in the third period with his first-ever goal past Game 4 of a playoff series. Veteran Max Pacioretty also scored to give Toronto a cushion, and the Leafs sealed the deal to play a winner-takes-all contest on Sunday. During the Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-latest-on-the-maple-leafs-golden-knights-and-avalanche] era since 2016-17, the Maple Leafs have never won a Game 7. They’ve played in five Game 7s, and all were in the first round. “It’s what you want to play for, and especially when you’re going down 3-2 into an away building, you want to bring your best, and I thought we did,” Marner told reporters post-game. “The job’s only going to get harder, so can’t be satisfied. Got to take care of yourself, take the rest you need, and be ready for a hard game.” Toronto last played a Game 7 just over a year ago, on May 4, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston. They lost to the Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] when David Pastrnak scored the overtime-winner. The Bruins sent the Leafs home in Game 7 three times in the Matthews and Marner era. In the 2021-22 playoffs, the Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning] got the best of the Leafs. Nick Paul scored both daggers against them in a 2-1 Bolts win. One of the most memorable Game 7 defeats was against the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] in 2021. The Maple Leafs finished first in the all-Canadian division during the shortened season, but they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Canadiens. Montreal went on to advance to the Stanley Cup final. In 2018 and 2019, the Bruins handled their business against the Maple Leafs in Game 7, with 7-4 and 5-1 victories. Auston Matthews (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/25bd1e13-26f9-499c-b902-ef7ee5d2aca8.jpeg] Auston Matthews (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) Toronto’s star players have been called upon for the big moments, but they haven’t delivered to their standards. In five Game 7s, Matthews [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/the-focus-is-just-on-this-group-auston-matthews-maple-leafs-block-out-the-noise-as-game-6-determines-their-playoff-fate] has no goals and three assists. He’s recorded at least a point in the team’s last three Game 7s. As for Marner, he also hasn’t scored a Game 7 goal and recorded two assists. William Nylander has had better numbers when the season is on the line. He’s scored two goals and two assists in the five Game 7s. As a team, the Maple Leafs have scored just one goal in each of their last four Game 7s. All eyes will be on their top forwards to produce when the lights are their brightest. Additionally, it could reflect whether Marner re-signs with Toronto in the off-season. Game 7 between the Maple Leafs and the Panthers will be on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
