Dec 7, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) steps into the penalty box after committing an infraction against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/022da58b-0f77-4b11-8a31-20b76fec68d9.jpeg] Dec 7, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) steps into the penalty box after committing an infraction against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs managed to do what no team had done throughout the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs until their 2-0 Game 4 loss to the Florida Panthers on Sunday... They took four penalties in the opening 20 minutes of the game. Just over two minutes into the game, Maple Leafs forward Max Domi caught Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk with a high stick [https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1921713327442424216]. At 9:19, Bobby McMann as called for boarding Carter Verhaeghe [https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1921716855246324042]. A little over four minutes later, Bobby McMann is called for a hook on [https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1921719200671789337] Verhaeghe. The Leafs were two seconds away from killing that penalty off when Oliver Ekman-Larsson was called for a delay of game after clearing the puck over the glass. The fourth penalty proved to be too much. Verhaeghe scored the first goal which also turned into the game-winner. Maple Leafs Shut Out By Panthers In Game 4, Head Back To Toronto With Series Tied [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/49738570-3ed9-4090-ba4c-1afc6fcc9e59.jpeg] Maple Leafs Shut Out By Panthers In Game 4, Head Back To Toronto With Series Tied The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped their second straight game at Amerant Bank Arena, falling 2-0 to the Florida Panthers on Sunday. With the loss, the series is tied 2-2, heading back to Toronto for Game 5. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-vs-panthers-game-4-live-blog] Of the four penalties, it seemed like only the McMann penalty for boarding was debatable. Although the hit is near the boards, it appears clean. McMann doesn't get him square from behind. That set a bad tone that the Leafs never recovered from. "We don't need to take those. Hookings and interference, we gotta be better. We'll be smarter than that," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube vowed. Why Auston Matthews Missed Maple Leafs Morning Skate Before Game 4 Against Panthers [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/bbb7af3b-9419-426c-bb95-d048fb62fa3b.jpeg] Why Auston Matthews Missed Maple Leafs Morning Skate Before Game 4 Against Panthers When the Toronto Maple Leafs filed onto the ice for their morning skate before Game 4 against the Florida Panthers, one player was missing: <a href="https://x.com/dalter/status/1921587280784900509">Auston Matthews</a>. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-auston-matthews-missed-maple-leafs-morning-skate-before-game-5-against-panthers] Although they were lucky to be down by just one goal, they appeared to be play worse in the second period, failing to generate any momentum or win many puck battles against the defending Stanley Cup champions. "We spent half the game in the box. It's hard to generate momentum. It's hard to generate energy and life for the bench, Auston Matthews said. "That's on us to be more disciplined in all those areas because they're a good team on special teams. The only player who seemed to have a good game on Sunday for Toronto was Joseph Woll, who turned aside 35 saves on 37 shots and kept the Panthers from shooting the lights out against the Leafs. 'We Have To Communicate Better': Maple Leafs Need Full Support To Help Joseph Woll Handle Panthers' Dump-Ins [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/63e2288c-96a0-4365-bc69-1fb8b889a00a.jpeg] 'We Have To Communicate Better': Maple Leafs Need Full Support To Help Joseph Woll Handle Panthers' Dump-Ins If there's anything the Florida Panthers did exceedingly well in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWPFLoUAs4">their Game 3 win</a> over the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was how they put the puck into the offensive end. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/we-have-to-communicate-better-maple-leafs-need-full-team-effort-to-handle-panthers-strong-dump-ins] As Woll points out, the Leaf could have had momentum on their side had they been successful in killing off Florida's fourth power play in the opening 20 minutes. "It gets you in the game pretty quick, and it's nice to see some pucks," Joseph Woll said. "At the same time, I think being able to get a few kills in a row is a good momentum boost for us, and we almost had the fourth.' The Leafs only trail the Winnipeg Jets in most minor penalties taken in the playoffs with 42 over 10 games. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! 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