Three consecutive losses for the Toronto Maple Leafs and they are once again caught at the center of scrutiny. And Game 5 not only got them a 1-6 defeat against the Florida Panthers but also left fans and analysts questioning their firepower! “I think everybody’s got to look in the mirror, myself included,” Auston Matthews did send a strong message afterwards, but somewhere it was the lost charm in his voice that led many in the NHL community to question the team’s lack of power. To say that the team’s quiet post-game demeanor has raised more than a few eyebrows.

And hey, this time it wasn’t from someone from the same sport. But Charles Barkley came forward to express his concern on the Spittin Chiclets podcast! Now you know that it’s indeed concerning, right? But what did Barkley point out exactly? Perhaps the fight, fire, belief, and everything when he said, “I saw it with the coach like they were defeated at that moment.” Questioning not just the team’s skill or potential, but their entire body language. Because the Maple Leafs’ mindset is in the face of adversity now.

While Barkley openly called out the lack of visible leadership and urgency, he did step up to boost their spirits by adding, “But hey, man, the series is not over; it’s not over at all.” Isn’t that something that should have come right away from the head coach or Auston Matthews being a leader himself? Even Mitch Marner, the alternate captain, couldn’t find anything to say but call it a sloppy play when none of the top line could score a goal against the Panthers in Game 5! “Sloppy play. Not hard enough working,” Marner claimed while admitting that they gave too many opportunities around our net to the opponents. “I don’t think anyone’s happy about it,” he further declared.

And this is exactly what the former basketball player pointed out! His concerns? Why is Toronto not looking at the chance they still have? “What just happened? But we’re going to go down to Florida and win a game and we’re coming back and we’re going to win in seven,” Barkley said in the podcast, looking very optimistic, perhaps more than the Leafs themselves as Game 6 approaches in no time. After all, the Leafs entered Round 2 on an excellent note by defeating the Ottawa Senators and then conquering the first two games against the Panthers! Despite the fact that they lost three now, Barkley wanted them to see more on the positive side and that is when he said, “I would have loved for one of those guys to say that instead of being,” maybe what he tried to say next was demotivated.

But are the Maple Leafs really in that state? Not when the captain has to send a firm message to his team that asks them to gear up before Game 6!

Auston Matthews is clear with his next step before Game 5 approaches!

While Barkley’s comments stirred conversation, it wouldn’t be entirely fair to say that the team is devoid of belief. Because Matthews, though reserved in demeanor, sent a quiet but firm message to his team. “Everybody wants to be better; everybody wants to, obviously, win,” asking every player to look down at their faults and come out better.

While it may not have been a fiery declaration, it was a steady affirmation of trust in the team’s identity when he further stated, “We’ve been a great road team all season long. There’s always going to be belief in this group and confidence in this group from what we’ve built off throughout the year.”  This is exactly what Barkley wanted to see and it looks like the captain got it!

After all, he is emphasizing that the series was far from over. And his words? Well, they indeed carried weight in the locker room, reminding the squad to be steady. Despite facing back-to-back defeats, he stayed focused on what lies ahead–“It’s got to be our best game of the year,” the captain boosted the team up with a spark now! Making it very clear that the Leafs aren’t done yet.