Scotiabank Arena was virtually empty by the final buzzer in Game 5, and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews doesn't blame fans for hitting the exits early with the home side getting pummeled by the Florida Panthers.
"I don't think we gave them much reason to stick around," Matthews said after Wednesday's 6-1 loss, according to Sportsnet.
The Maple Leafs were showered with boos after the Panthers opened up a 4-0 lead in the second period. Toronto was thoroughly dominated from the opening puck drop, and its season will be on the line Friday after nearly being shut out for a second straight game.
"There's nothing we can do now," Matthews said. "We've just got to put our best foot forward, look in the mirror, and just be better. That's really it."
He added, "I think everybody's got to look in the mirror, like I said. Myself included. Everybody wants to be better, everybody wants to, obviously, win. We've been a great road team all season long. There's always going to be belief in this group and confidence in this group from what we've built off throughout the year. ... It's got to be our best game of the year."
Pressure was on Matthews to deliver a strong performance after Toronto lost back-to-back games in Florida. The three-time "Rocket" Richard winner hasn't scored in Round 2 and now has three goals in his last 21 playoff contests dating back to 2023.
"I don't look at myself as a one-dimensional player," Matthews said. "If I'm not scoring, I'm trying to do all the other little things that make the team successful, that make myself successful, and just try to be an all-around, complete player."
Matthews finished the game minus-2 with six shots, two blocks, and a hit in 18:06 of ice time. He has three points in the series and eight in 11 playoff contests this spring.
