The Toronto Maple Leafs had every reason to be fired up for Game 5 of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers. But when the puck dropped, the club looked flat, struggling to score and losing crucial puck battles.

"They outskated us, really. They had the puck, won the races," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said following a 6-1 loss. "We just played slow. They were fast, they were on us, they were hungrier. That's the first period. And that sets the tone for the game."

The Leafs shouldn't have been lacking motivation. After winning the first two games of their best-of-seven series and being an overtime goal away in Game 3 from putting a stranglehold on the series, the Leafs have since been dominated by the Panthers, who have won three straight. The Panthers can eliminate Toronto with a victory on Friday.

"It's hard to explain it. You know, we all got to be better, myself included," Berube said. "You can't start the game that way. That's a big thing for me. Sets the tone for the game. I don't have an answer for you for why. Sports. Things happen."

‘I Don’t Think We Gave Them Much Reason To Stick Around’: Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs React To Boos, Fans Leaving During Game 5 Blowout By the time the Florida Panthers scored their sixth goal midway through the third period on Wednesday night, Scotiabank Arena had become a sea of empty seats. However, fans began the booing and heading for the exits late in the second period when Florida made it 4-0.

Berube said it wasn't about X's and O's but rather a matter of mindset. This begs the question: What is going through the minds of the Leafs after arguably their most disappointing loss of the playoffs?

Core players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander spoke about needing to be better. But if you didn't know they came after this game, you might think these quotes were from post-game comments following other recent playoff disappointments.

Maple Leafs' 'Coaching Decision': Will Nick Robertson or David Kampf Enter Game 5 Lineup Against Panthers? When the Toronto Maple Leafs step onto the ice for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers, they could have a different-looking lineup. They also might not.

Defenceman Chris Tanev, who joined the Leafs this season, struck a different tone.

"I'll take responsibility. I need to do better," he said. "So if I'm a minus player, I'm probably not going to win the game, so it's on me. I'll take responsibility for the game.

Tanev finished the night as a minus-2, though he wasn't on the ice for a goal against until Florida's fourth marker, a shot goaltender Joseph Woll arguably should have stopped.

Maple Leafs' 'Coaching Decision': Will Nick Robertson or David Kampf Enter Game 5 Lineup Against Panthers? When the Toronto Maple Leafs step onto the ice for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers, they could have a different-looking lineup. They also might not.

"Tonight wasn't a good game for anybody," Berube said. "Anybody. All of us. Was not a good game."

The Leafs are still alive, but will need to win two consecutive games to move onto the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2002. If the urgency wasn't evident enough in Game 5, there will be no explanation left if they can't at least force a Game 7 back home.

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