The Toronto Maple Leafs had a golden opportunity to close out their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. Instead, they delivered a disappointing 4-0 loss on home ice — a performance that sparked frustration not just online but inside Scotiabank Arena itself, where fans began exiting early in visible protest.
At the center of the scrutiny is veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly, who’s endured an up-and-down season and has been under a magnifying glass throughout the series.
With just three points in five games and a -1 rating, his contributions have been steady but far from dominant. The Game 5 loss — which saw breakdowns across the entire roster — only intensified the criticism.
Following the defeat, Rielly addressed the media and acknowledged the concerns without feeding into panic.
“We have to stick together. We’ve been in this spot before. We have to understand that we have the lead in this series — there’s no reason to panic,” Rielly said. “The media has a job to do, and it’s about us doing ours.”
🚨🎙️ Morgan Rielly on handling pressure and the frustrated fans ready to voice their anger:
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) April 30, 2025
“We have to stick together. We’ve been in this spot before. We have to understand that we have the lead in this series — there’s no reason to panic. The media has a job to do, and it’s…
It was a message of calm amid the chaos, and a reminder that despite the blowout loss, the Leafs still hold a 3-2 lead in the series.
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However, the optics of Game 5 were concerning. With the team trailing late in the third period and offering little pushback, large sections of fans made their way to the exits well before the final buzzer — a striking image in a city known for its passionate support.
Now, all eyes turn to Game 6 in Ottawa. The Leafs will need to regroup quickly, because a loss would force a high-pressure Game 7 back in Toronto — something few in the city want to see.
While the Maple Leafs have already beaten Ottawa three times in this series, the pressure to finish the job has never been higher. The fans have made their disappointment known. The question now is whether this team can respond — and restore faith in a fanbase that’s seen this story too many times before.
Can the Leafs rewrite the ending? Thursday night will tell the tale.
And remember when Paul Bissonnette tipped Mitch Marner for Selke and Art Ross? Yes, it was just at the beginning of the season