Marchand scored into an empty net and set up his linemates for two other goals in the Florida Panthers’ 6-1 victory in Game 7 over the team the 37-year-old left wing grew up cheering for.

To finally get past their playoff demons, once and for all, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have to win a Game 7 — their sixth try in this particular era.

The Maple Leafs would have won the series had they held serve in Games 5 and 7; instead, they lost 6-1 each time, lacking energy and effort to the point that disgruntled fans chucked jerseys onto the...