Maple Leafs fans turn on Auston Matthews in ugly playoff loss

Maple Leafs fans made their feelings about Auston Matthews quite clear on Wednesday night.A member of the Toronto faithful tossed Matthews’ jersey onto the ice as the team was in the midst of getting dismantled 6-1 by the Panthers at ScotiaBank Arena.“I don’t think we gave them much reason to stick around,” Matthews told reporters of the negative fan reaction.The loss was the third straight for the Maple Leafs after they won the opening two games, and now are on the brink of elimination with the series shifting back to South Florida for Game 6 on Friday night.Matthews is goalless in this series.

He hasn’t scored since the deciding Game 6 against the Senators in the first round.“I don’t think there’s really any excuse or explanation,” Matthews said of the team’s lifeless performance.“We’ve got to win a game to keep our season alive.”Matthews, 27, is in the second year of a four-year, $53 million contract, and it’s possible it will be his last season playing alongside fellow star Mitch Marner.Marner, 28, led the team with 102 points this season but is heading toward free agency this offseason.Fans on social media trashed the team’s two biggest stars.“I’m gonna say it and you can trash me all you want.

I’m sick of Matthews more than I’m sick of Marner.They can both leave for all I care.

Absolute loser energy players,” one fan wrote on X.“Did anyone tell Marner and Matthews that ‘All or Nothing’ was not meant to be taken literally orrrrrr ?” TNT reporter Jackie Redmond wrote.Stream tonight’s NHL playoff games (and every one that comes after) with Sling TV, which has every channel you’ll need to tune in.Score 34 channels in the Sling TV Orange plan, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, TNT, and ESPN3 (where you’ll be able to watch ABC games simulcast live).Right now, you can save 50% off your first month with Sling TV, so instead of paying $45.99, you’ll pay just $23 when you sign up today.The scrutinized franchise...