The Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers (optional) skated at Baptist Health Iceplex in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Friday.

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With the Leafs facing elimination on Friday night, Craig Berube is sticking with centre Auston Matthews and winger Mitch Marner together on the top line.

"I've split them up this year at times, and I never felt that it really did anything, to be honest with you," Toronto's head coach said. "These guys have been a combo for a long time, and they've had a lot of success. So, I trust them. I trust in them. I believe in them."

That belief was tested in Game 5 in Toronto. Matthews and Marner did not generate any goals and made mistakes that directly led to two Florida goals in a 6-1 loss.

Marner was at fault for Florida's third goal as his backhand, no-look pass into the neutral zone was picked off and led to a Panthers quick-strike chance off the rush. Jesper Boqvist scored a tap-in goal after beating Marner to the back post.

"Just trying to make a play," said Marner. "Couldn’t really get it off the wall. Tried to hit the far guy and then, yeah, on the 3-on-2 back I was trying to cheat the pass up top and didn’t take him to the post. I mean, that’s obviously a big mistake, so you live to forget. You make mistakes. You’re human. Yeah, just making sure you clear your mind of that. You know you got better and bring it tonight."

Marner has been held off the scoresheet in the last two games. He has landed just two shots on net over the last four games.

Matthews lost a puck battle with Panthers top-line centre Aleksander Barkov in the first........

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