The Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the NHL’s most storied franchises, have a long and frankly painful history when it comes to Game 7s. These do-or-die games have brought both amazing highs and gut-wrenching lows for the team and their dedicated fans.
Here’s a look at the Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7 history:
Maple Leafs Game 7 Record
The Leafs have suited up for 27 Game 7s throughout their history, walking away with 12 wins against 15 losses. Not terrible on paper, right? But man, their recent Game 7 track record has been nothing short of miserable.
Check out their Game 7 results since 2000:
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 5/19/2024 | @ Boston | L 1-2 OT |
| 5/14/2022 | vs Tampa Bay | L 1-2 |
| 5/31/2021 | vs Montreal | L 1-3 |
| 4/23/2019 | @ Boston | L 1-5 |
| 4/25/2018 | @ Boston | L 4-7 |
| 5/13/2013 | @ Boston | L 4-5 OT |
| 4/20/2004 | vs Ottawa | W 4-1 |
| 4/22/2003 | @ Philadelphia | L 1-6 |
| 5/14/2002 | vs Ottawa | W 3-0 |
| 4/30/2002 | vs NY Islanders | W 4-2 |
| 5/9/2001 | @ New Jersey | L 1-5 |
Yikes. Six straight Game 7 losses since 2013. We don’t care how loyal you are – that’s gotta hurt if you’re a Leafs fan.
Leafs Game 7s vs Bruins
If you’re a Leafs supporter with a weak stomach, you might wanna skip this section. Their Game 7 history against the Boston Bruins is the stuff of nightmares. These Original Six rivals have battled it out in four Game 7s since 2013, and Boston has won… every… single… one:
2013: Bruins 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
2018: Bruins 7, Maple Leafs 4
2019: Bruins 5, Maple Leafs 1
2024: Bruins 2, Maple Leafs 1 (OT)
The most infamous of these losses came in 2013 when the Leafs held a 4-1 lead in the third period before the Bruins staged a stunning comeback, tying the game in the final minute of regulation and winning it in overtime. Talk about a gut punch.
Notable Leafs Game 7 Player Performances
It’s not all doom and gloom – some Leafs have actually stepped up in these pressure-cooker situations:
Morgan Rielly scored the Leafs’ lone goal in their Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022.
Auston Matthews has battled through injuries in several Game 7s but still managed to put up a goal and three assists. Not too shabby considering the circumstances.
Joseph Woll made 22 saves in the Leafs’ Game 6 win over the Panthers in 2025, forcing a Game 7. He became the first goaltender in NHL history to have each of his first four career playoff starts come in potential elimination games.
Max Domi seems to have that Game 7 magic with three goals and an assist. Remember his dad? Tie would be proud.
William Nylander has quietly contributed two goals and two assists in Game 7s. Say what you want about his contract, but Willy usually shows up.
The Psychological Impact of Game 7s on the Leafs and Their Fans
The Leafs’ history of heartbreaking Game 7 losses has taken a toll on both the team and its dedicated fanbase. The pressure to perform in these high-stakes situations has seemingly weighed heavily on the players, leading to a series of disappointing collapses and early playoff exits.
For fans, each Game 7 loss has been a painful reminder of the franchise’s long Stanley Cup drought, which dates back to 1967. The team’s inability to come through in clutch moments has led to a sense of pessimism and even fatalism among some supporters, who have come to expect the worst in these decisive games.
As former Leafs player and current broadcaster Darren Pang put it after the team’s Game 7 loss to the Bruins in 2018: “The pressure is immense. It’s not just the players feeling it, it’s the entire city. The weight of the past failures really seems to creep into their minds in these big moments.”
Upcoming Game 7 vs Panthers
The Leafs have somehow willed themselves to yet another Game 7, this time against the defending champion Florida Panthers in the 2025 Eastern Conference Second Round. Down 3-2 in the series, they gutted out a 2-0 win in Game 6, with Matthews FINALLY finding the back of the net and Pacioretty adding some insurance.
Game 7 goes down at Scotiabank Arena this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Winner moves on to face the Canes in the Conference Final.
This represents a huge opportunity for the Maple Leafs core players like Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Rielly, who have gone 0-5 together in previous Game 7s. A win would not only propel them to the Conference Final for the first time since 2002 but could also serve as a turning point for a franchise desperate to end a decades-long Stanley Cup drought.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are 3-1 all-time in Game 7s, including 2-0 on the road, and are coming off a Stanley Cup victory last season where they defeated the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7.
