“It’s gonna be some ups and downs, and it’s just like the (regular) season, you’ve just gotta ride it out and stay with the belief and calmness that you have,” Mitch Marner said ahead of the NHL playoffs as per The Athletic. Those words have never been more relevant for Marner and Co. than now. Game 5 in Round 2 against the Florida Panthers was an absolute disaster, and Marner’s mistake led directly to a goal.

A no-look backhand pass from the Toronto Maple Leafs forward led to a turnover in possession. Just seconds later, the Cats scored their third goal of the night. The fans fumed, and many called for the Leafs to let Marner walk. The 28-year-old has been the subject of trade rumors and will become a free agent after his season ends. Yet, when asked about the disastrous 6-1 loss possibly being his last game on home ice as a Leaf, Marner didn’t give a conclusive answer.

“No. No thoughts of that at all,” the Toronto Maple Leafs star said post-game. And that was all. Mitch Marner didn’t utter one more word about a possible trade or whether he plans to resign with the Leafs. Instead of worrying about what might happen after their season ends, Marner seemed more interested in talking about how to save their current playoff run.

After all, this has been the Maple Leafs’ most successful season in a very long time, having come into the NHL playoffs as the Atlantic Division toppers after 25 years. In fact, beating the Ottawa Senators in Round 1 was also a huge moment, as it was only their second playoff series win in the last 11 years. And they looked all set for Round 3 this time after taking a 2-0 series lead against the Cats. Unfortunately, that lead has disappeared as the Panthers won three in a row.

“It’s obviously not the spot that we want to be in, but you can’t do anything about it. Like I said, reset. We knew this was going to be a roller coaster ride. It’s not going to be easy,” said Marner. The 28-year-old himself had a career-defining 108-point season this year. So it’s not like he’ll have a dearth of suitors if he becomes a free agent. But for now, his only focus is to find that depth and help the Leafs win Game 6. But that’s easier said than done.

It’s an uphill climb for Mitch Marner & Co.

Marner and the Leafs definitely want to tie up the series at 3-3 after Game 6. After all, beating the Panthers on home ice right after they did the same to the Leafs would be a morale boost. Unfortunately, Toronto probably won’t have its primary goalie, Anthony Stolarz, to count on. Stolarz suffered a scary-looking injury in Game 4 when Florida’s Sam Bennett collided with him.

The result? The Leafs’ star goaltender couldn’t play in Game 5. Joseph Woll took up netminding duties instead and let in five goals after 25 shots. While it wasn’t completely his fault, as mistakes like Mitch Marner giving away the puck happened far too often, Coach Berube still pulled Woll after the fifth goal. And if ESPN Kristen Shilton is to be believed, Stolarz may not play in the crucial Game 6 either.

“To get back to Toronto for a Game 7, the Leafs will have to win in Florida, but they likely won’t have starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz,” said the ESPN reporter. “He resumed skating over the weekend and was on the ice for a 30-minute workout on Thursday, but Berube doubted Stolarz would join the Leafs in Florida for Game 6,” Shilton added.

Despite the challenging situation, the Leafs haven’t given up just yet. Coach Craig Berube and the players spoke about their determination to bounce back in what could be the final game of their 2024-25 playoffs. “We’ll talk about things, make some adjustments that are needed. But it’s more of a mindset, for me, going into this Game 6 than anything else,” said Berube. Mitch Marner also believes that the Leafs need to go into Game 6 with a winning “mindset” to save their season. So the question is: Can they do it?