Paul scores two as Lightning hang on to beat Maple Leafs in Game 7

TORONTO — This playoff heartbreak felt different for the Maple Leafs.

A team that had so often stumbled in big moments went toe-to-toe with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.

In the end, however, the result was the same — and perhaps even more crushing because of what might have been.

Nick Paul scored twice, including an incredible individual effort on the winner late in the second period, as the Tampa Bay Lightning topped Toronto 2-1 in Game 7 on Saturday to win the team's first-round playoff series 4-3.

A record-breaking regular season was all for naught as the Maple Leafs could not find a way to elevate their game enough to beat the two-time defending champion Lightning. The TSN Hockey panel discusses the disappointing loss for Toronto, highlights the play of Tampa Bay's support group, weighs in on the disallowed goal in the second period and what changes could be coming for the Leafs.

"It's hard to explain," Leafs captain John Tavares said in the wake of another devastating post-season setback for a franchise that hasn't reached the second round since 2004. "It's frustrating, hard to fathom.

"It stings, it hurts, it's disappointing."

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 30 saves for a team not yet ready to relinquish its crown despite losing star winger Brayden Point to an apparent leg injury late in the first period.

"A game of inches," said Leafs star Auston Matthews, who scored 60 goals during the regular season and four more in playoffs. "Unfortunately we're on the bad side of things tonight. It's really frustrating.

"Every guy in there competed and gave it their all. They made one more play than us."

Toronto had Tampa Bay, which will now meet the Presidents' Trophy-winning Florida Panthers in the next round, on