Famous last words? Tanev might've provided perfect fuel to Toronto Maple Leafs doubters
The Toronto Maple Leafs are making their fans very nervous.
The Leafs won the first three games of their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators before losing two straight potential series-clinching games. Remarkably, Toronto has now lost 13 of 14 potential series-clinching games since 2018.
With the series flipping back to Ottawa for a crucial Game 6, the pressure on the Leafs is mounting. But at least one Leafs player isn’t panicking.
“We’re up 3-2 in the series. I think we’re fine,” said veteran defenceman Chris Tanev, perhaps tempting the hockey gods.
"We're up 3-2 in the series… I think we're fine."
Chris Tanev when asked about the mental aspect of the series. pic.twitter.com/PljHCBqv1J
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 30, 2025
The Senators went 27-11-3 at home during the regular season and won Game 4 at the Canadian Tire Centre in overtime. They’re a very good home team, and it’ll be a challenge for the Leafs to snap this losing streak on the road.
“It’s not supposed to be easy,” added Mitch Marner. “We knew it was gonna be a challenge, we knew it wasn’t gonna be easy. They pushed back the last two games. Now we’ve got to go into their building and play our best game.”
The Leafs’ terrible playoff record means that every game will be scrutinized in the postseason. There couldn’t be a larger contrast against the underdog Senators they’re going up against.
“I don’t think our group has really felt pressure from the beginning,” said Senators coach Travis Green.
While there are some new pieces, this Leafs roster is still built around the same few star players. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander have struggled in the postseason before, especially in big moments. There is some concern that we could be witnessing a repeat of years past, but that’s not a sentiment shared by head coach Craig Berube.
“I’m not feeling anything. I think our group tonight was focused and ready to go… I don’t sense that at all, we’re up 3-2 in the series,” said Berube.
The Leafs are clearly not letting the situation get to them much, at least outwardly. They seem to be ready to go for Game 6.
“We’re a confident group in here. We’re in a good spot here,” said Matthews.