Florida Panthers outskate Maple Leafs in Game 5; seize control of playoff series

Playoff hockey is all about who can handle the pressure, stay sharp, and deliver when it matters most. The current second-round series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers shows just how quickly things can change and how tough it is to win when the spotlight is on you. The Leafs started strong, but now it looks like they’re falling apart right before our eyes.Toronto had the series in their hands. They were up 2-0, and even led early in Game 3. But since then, everything’s gone downhill. The stars who usually carry the team are suddenly invisible. The power play that once gave Toronto an edge is now struggling big time. Defensively, the Leafs are making mistakes that cost them goals, and their goaltending hasn’t been solid enough to keep the puck out.The big problem is the Leafs just aren’t playing with the speed or energy they need. Their top players aren’t scoring, and there’s hardly any support from the rest of the lineup. Depth scoring, the ability for other players to step up seems to be missing completely.On the other hand, the Florida Panthers look like a team on fire. They crushed Toronto 6-1 in Game 5, with goals coming from all over the lineup. The Panthers are quicker on the puck, hungrier to win every battle, and more focused. Their goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, has been solid, giving them confidence to keep pushing.Leafs coach Craig Berube said it plainly: “They outskated us, they had the puck, they won the races, and we just played slow. They were fast, they were honest, they were hungrier.” That sums it up perfectly. Florida is playing with purpose, while Toronto seems slow and frustrated.Also Read: NHL Legend Theo Fleury slams PM Mark Carney in blunt social media attackWith the Panthers just one win away from claiming the Atlantic Division playoff title, their repeated struggles in the playoffs suggest they have a mental block when the pressure is on. This isn’t just bad luck, it feels like a pattern. Unless Toronto finds a way to play faster, smarter, and with more heart, their playoff run might end in disappointment once again. In hockey, talent alone isn’t enough. You need grit, resilience, and the will to win. Right now, Florida has all of that and it’s showing on the scoreboard.