Toronto Maple Leafs Face Decisive Game 6 Against Florida Panthers in Playoffs

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a critical Game 7 after their 2-0 victory in Game 6 against the Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, aiming to overcome a historically poor record in deciding games during the Core Four era. Despite their strong start, the Leafs found themselves trailing 3-2 in the series, with the Panthers, led by goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and a balanced scoring attack, posing a formidable challenge. The Leafs' top players, including Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Matthew Knies, are under pressure to perform, especially following a heavy 6-1 loss in Game 5, which intensified scrutiny from fans and analysts. This playoff series could mark a pivotal moment for the Leafs' Core Four, as the team has only advanced past the first round twice since 2016, raising questions about the future of this core group if they fail to make a deep postseason run. Analysts note the Leafs' resilience, citing past comebacks after heavy losses, but also emphasize the urgency of Game 6 as a potential breaking point for the team. The Leafs will rely on key lineup adjustments and strong goaltending from Joseph Woll to potentially stave off elimination and force a Game 7.