So close, and yet so, so far.

In their biggest game in more than 20 years, the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday with barely a whimper, as the Florida Panthers steamrolled them 6-1 in Game 7 of their second-round series.

As a result, the Florida Panthers, the defending champions, are one series away from a third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup final. They will open the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

More to come