Former Leafs Coach Reveals the Two Issues that Cost The Leafs the Series Against the Panthers

Lane Lambert left the Maple Leafs after just one season to become the new head coach of the Seattle Kraken in May.

A passionate coach on the bench, Lambert was primarily responsible for the Leafs penalty kill, vaulting it from 23rd in the league in the 2023-2024 season to 17th this past season.

Following his departure from Toronto, Lambert spoke with TSN's Mark Masters on Monday to discuss his tenure with the club, what he learned about Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner and revealed where the series against the Panthers got away from them.

Lambert felt that despite winning the first two games of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers, the injury sustained by Anthony Stolarz in Game 1 is where things began to shift before the club failed to capitalize on two two-goal leads in Game 3.

Although Joseph Woll played well in relief of Stolarz, the former second-round pick had gained the confidence of the coaching staff and players in front of him prior to his injury.

Not only that, but after not playing in 18 days, it was a difficult spot for Woll to come into and reset his focus on being the starter the rest of the series.

On top of the injury to Stolarz, the Leafs did what they always do and found a way to blow leads in a game they dominated, ultimately leading to the Panthers clawing their way back into the series in Game 3, instead of facing elimination.