Why Game 5 is Maple Leafs’ most important game in 20 years

While it might not be a do-or-die game, a lot is on the line for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.

The Maple Leafs get set to host the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Atlantic Division Final, returning to Scotiabank Arena for the first time since going up 2-0 on the defending Stanley Cup champions. However, thanks to a couple of rough outings, the series is back in the Six tied 2-2.

For the Leafs, it looked like they had the Panthers on the ropes, one overtime goal away from putting the Cats down 3-0. However, they have to dust themselves and desperately try to get a win, or else face elimination in Florida.

On Wednesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Steven Ellis explain why they think this is one of the most important games in Leafs history in a long time.

Frank Seravalli: Wednesday night’s game five for the Toronto Maple Leafs is the most significant consequential game for the organization in two-plus decades?

Steven Ellis: No. I know people have been saying that. What’s the reasoning for that?

Frank: I’ll say that it is because if the Toronto Maple Leafs win and they go up three two and they have two separate shots to close out the defending champion Panthers, what sets up on the other side of the bracket could be a ticket to the Stanley Cup final.

Steven: I see that. I don’t know. You look at the series two years ago, where it looked like the Leafs had just all that momentum going, and they fell apart completely. … I would also argue maybe Game 3 was even more important. Part of that was just to kind of show that you can keep that momentum alive. You win those two games, you win that third one, different story. I think they win in Game 4, and they actually could have swept. I think now the momentum’s all gone. So, I guess that argument holds up. 

Frank: That’s why it’s important. That’s why it’s so critically important. Because I think if they lose this Game 5, there’s almost zero chance that they’re beating the Cats in Game 6 in Florida.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…