‘All these video games are bizarre’: Maple Leafs out-tank Panthers in weird end

Then they out-tanked the champs with their weak efficiency.

Present the Leafs with a must-win at residence in April, and also you would possibly get nervous about what occurs subsequent.

Turns out, they bought you lined.

In this bizarro world that Leafs Nation has by accident stumbled into this spring, Marlies are Leafs, tickets promote for lower than face, accidents are reduction.

So, nobody inside or outdoors of the Maple Leafs group may even feign frustration after a 6-2 Saturday night time defeat at residence to the rival group that drove a dramatic stake by way of their coronary heart a 12 months in the past.

“All these games are weird when you’re out of the playoffs,” mentioned William Nylander, who pulled on a shirt for his post-game interview. “We’ve been, you know, competing good. But tonight I think they were competing better than us.” 

The they Nylander speaks of included such unfamiliar Panthers as Marek Alscher, Donovan Sebrango, Wilmer Skoog, Cole Schwidt, and Cole Reinhardt — who scored after driving the online like Sam Reinhart (no relation).

Yep, earlier than most Toronto followers left early to beat visitors on Dress-Like-a-Seat Night, it was Bring-Your-Kids-to-Work Day on the ol’ Scotiabank Arena.

Fifth-liner Tomas Nosek awakened Saturday morning with zero targets on the season; he fell asleep with two.

What do you anticipate when these two former Atlantic Division powers are solely exhibiting up as a result of forfeiting isn’t an possibility?

“I don’t know,” Leafs coach Craig Berube mentioned at morning skate. “That’s a very good query. I don’t know if it’s a very good query or how one can reply it, to be trustworthy with you. 

“I always tell our guys it’s a privilege to play in the NHL, and you take every game as seriously as you can. I get it, where the situation is for both teams. But, in the end, personally, from my standpoint, we owe it to our teammates, to the organization, to the fans: You go out and play the game properly.”

The Florida Panthers/Charlotte Checkers actually did. What felt lower than correct, nonetheless, was the pre-season-inspired lineup the franchise dressed. 

When you issue that backup goalie Daniil Tarasov began in favour of Sergei Bobrovsky, the two-time champions had roughly $85 million price of expertise not taking part.

The Leafs, in the meantime, dressed all their wholesome NHLers and began their most completed goalie.

Florida’s highest-paid ahead, Eetu Luostarinen ($3 million), opened the scoring on the primary shot directed at Joseph Woll. And by the point Reinhardt doubled the rating, the nice tank-off was barely five-and-a-half minutes outdated.

Berube threw a dart, difficult for goalie interference, and missed, placing his staff on the penalty kill. Another 50/50 battle misplaced.

And whereas Nylander — probably the most proficient man within the sport by 88 miles — almost stole two factors himself with a two-goal, five-shot effort, Florida’s depth outworked and outshot (25-19) the house staff for a victory that, finally, doesn’t do the Panthers a lot good.

Or the top-10-pick-hunting Boston Bruins, who punched their ticket to the playoffs.

Yes, it was a fantastic night for Team Tank, crossing its fingers for a bottom-five end and no lottery hoppers.

The Panthers, Blues, and Kraken all gathered two factors Saturday. 

The Maple Leafs gathered none. All week. 

In the reverse standings, the Leafs are in fifth place with simply two video games to blow.

Their odds to win 2026’s first-overall draft selection have improved to eight.5 per cent. And if the Rangers and/or Flames win out, Toronto can “improve” to fourth- or third-worst general with regulation losses to Dallas Monday and Ottawa Wednesday.

Feels kinda gross, however Leafs followers needs to be cheering for extra losses the deeper we get into April.

Everything’s upside-down.

“Nothing’s permanent in this league,” Florida coach Paul Maurice mentioned. “You can win a Stanley Cup and miss the playoffs by 100 miles. We’re going to prove that this year, and then we’re going to try to win next year.”

Then Maurice thought-about the state of the opposition and the pressures of Toronto.

“It could be a great thing,” he mentioned. “Like, if you’re going to hit a home run, this is a good place to hit a home run. There’s good and bad in every market. Winning usually changes all of it.”

For these Maple Leafs, somewhat extra shedding would possibly simply assist with that successful.

• At morning skate, onetime Maple Leafs coach Maurice used the nice Mats Sundin as a main instance of how one can navigate the scrutiny in Toronto.

“He was always up front, always front and centre,” Maurice mentioned. “He would tell the truth — but was smart enough that there doesn’t always need to be a lot of details with that truth. You know, ‘We weren’t very good tonight, but we’ll try and be better the next night.’ He was really honest, but he had a presence about him. It’s not an easy thing to do.”

• After 4 seasons and 224 video games with the Marlies and a number of callups, prospect William Villeneuve lastly made his NHL debut.

“I didn’t sleep a whole lot last night, to be honest,” the 24-year-old defenceman mentioned. “Everyone has his own path, his own timeline. If I look at myself back four years ago, it’s a different player, different person, so (I’m) confident in my game and I worked a long way for that.”

The Sherbrooke, Que., native’s first name when he discovered he’d made the present was to his mother and father, who have been within the constructing for this one.

“I did see them in the stands, and I’m gonna go see them after (this). I’m just pretty sure it’s gonna be an emotional moment,” mentioned Villeneuve, after skating a wholesome 18:45.

“I’ll remember that day for the rest of my life.” 

• Dakota Joshua (higher physique), Brandon Carlo (decrease physique), and Anthony Stolarz (decrease physique) are all completed for the season as a result of accidents suffered in Wednesday’s loss to the Capitals.

Stolarz’s newest ailment is critical sufficient that it might impression his low season coaching, however not one of the gamers require surgical procedure, in accordance with Berube.

That the injury-prone Stolarz, 32, has an enormous elevate, 16-team commerce safety, and 4 years of staff dedication kicking in for 2026-27 needs to be regarding.

• John Tavares has been full worth this season as Toronto’s worthy nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded to the participant who finest exemplifies management qualities on and off the ice and who has made a big humanitarian contribution to his group.

“My experience going in and around the city is just how supportive people are, no matter the circumstances,” a grateful Tavares says. “Whether it’s over the past couple weeks and the help folks share. Or after final 12 months, after Game 7, the help was there.

“Throughout my time as a Leaf, the excitement people have for this team and the passion for this team is unwavering. The support we get is incredible. There can be a lot of noise at times, but it just speaks to what this means to so many people and how deep-rooted it is around the city.”

• Most stunning staff of 2025-26 in Berube’s eyes? The San Jose Sharks.

“That just shows you how good that kid is. A helluva player,” Berube says of Macklin Celebrini. “They added some veteran pieces to their lineup this year, and some kids are all getting better for them. But they put themselves in a pretty good spot this year.”