Maple Leafs Fail to Close Series, Lose 4-0 to Senators

The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to clinch their first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators for the second straight game, losing 4-0 at home, which reduced their series lead to 3-2. This loss highlights a persistent pattern in the Leafs' recent playoff history, as they have now lost 13 of their past 14 potential series-clinching games since 2018, fueling anxiety and frustration among fans and reviving painful memories of past postseason failures. Despite the talented core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander, the team again struggled under pressure, with special teams faltering and the opposition's goaltending proving too strong. Fan reactions ranged from early exits at the arena and online rants to calls for significant changes in management and the roster, underscoring a general sense of weariness with the team's inability to finish playoff series. While Toronto still holds the advantage in the series, the fear of another historic collapse looms large, with the narrative of playoff 'demons' and missed opportunities dominating discussion. Thursday's Game 6 in Ottawa now becomes a crucial test for the Leafs to finally break their postseason curse.