NHL GM’s reaction to playoff loss goes viral

The Toronto Maple Leafs jumped out to a 2-0 lead just five minutes and 10 seconds into Game 2 of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. And they went on to lose, 3-2.

Florida scored one goal in the first period and two goals in the second period en route to a 2-0 series lead. Both games were in Toronto, so along with being in full command of the series, the Panthers now have home-ice advantage as the seven-game series heads to Florida.

So, it was a huge blown opportunity for the Maple Leafs, and now it will be a massive challenge for Toronto to find a way to advance to the conference final.

Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas was very frustrated with Thursday’s loss, and he took that frustration out on a water bottle while watching the game from his suite at Scotiabank Arena.

Here’s Dubas throwing his water bottle, as seen on the Sportsnet broadcast:

Bad night to be a water bottle. 🫣 pic.twitter.com/scomVmatay

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2023

Maple Leafs fans have to appreciate that passion and genuine frustration from their general manager, at least.

Toronto won its first playoff series since 2004 when it took down the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

[Photo and video credit: Sportsnet]