Despite having a 2024-25 season that would qualify as the best year for many NHL players, Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews didn't live up to his usual standard because of a lingering injury.

The Maple Leafs (52-26-4) finished first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points, six ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning and eight of the Panthers. Toronto then won only its second postseason series in 21 years by eliminating the Ottawa Senators in six games in the first round.

Anthony Stolarz confirmed he suffered a concussion during Game 1 against the Florida Panthers. Yet it certainly felt like he was trending toward returning to a starter role had the Leafs advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. Stolarz backed up Joseph Woll in Game 7 against the Panthers.

Former NHL player Rile Cote explains why he thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to fall short in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Let's look at the facts. Since 2018, the Maple Leafs' longest tenured players — Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Morgan Rielly — have fallen completely flat in their career in Game 7, scoring three goals between them in six games.

Just two days after a season-ending 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the second-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs held their end-of-season media availability.

Maple Leafs have been projected to win it all under Brendan Shanahan, but can't even get out of 2nd round. Again. That doesn't help Red Wings fans.

Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Joseph Woll spoke on why the pressure this franchise faces is a positive thing, not a negative.