The Maple Leafs did something that no other team has done since October 23rd: they beat the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena Monday night.
A great effort, spectacular goaltending, and a little good fortune all contributed to Toronto’s 4-3 overtime victory.
In a game touted as a measuring stick for Toronto, a benchmark against the NHL’s points leader who has not lost in regulation at their home arena all year, the Maple Leafs matched the Avalanche’s intensity and pace throughout the game.
Both teams generated numerous high-danger scoring opportunities early on, but Joseph Woll and his Colorado counterpart, Trent Minor, stood tall in their respective nets, not allowing any goals.
Eventually, the offenses did break through. Easton Cowan opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs on a fluke goal. The rookie tried to connect with Bobby McMann, who was stationed to the side of the Avalanche‘s goal, but the pass deflected off Colorado defenceman Brent Burns’ skate and past Minor for a 1-0 Toronto lead at 11:15 of the first period.
Colorado struck back at the 16:12 mark. Martin Necas spun Jake McCabe into a pretzel, then found Cale Makar moving into the slot. The defenceman ripped one by Woll to tie the game 1-1. Less than two minutes later, Brock Nelson put the Avalanche in front with his 22nd of the season on the power play to make the score 2-1.
Toronto tied the game 2 minutes and 12 seconds into the second period. Bobby McMann skated down an errant Colorado pass, then beat the Avalanche defenders back before firing a shot past Minor for the 2-2 tie.
The Leafs outplayed Colorado for much of the second, but were unable to regain the lead. That changed 10:24 into the third. Auston Matthews took a William Nylander outlet pass, skated in, and roofed a shot by Minor for the go-ahead goal.
Colorado answered with Necas’ 21st goal on the season at 12:55. The winger, who gave Toronto fits all night, jammed home a Nathan MacKinnon centring pass to re-tie the game. The Leafs killed off a late penalty to send the game to overtime. In the extra session, filled with near misses and spectacular saves, William Nylander scored the game-winner with just over a minute left, converting a two-on-one from Oliver Ekman-Larsson to secure the two points.
Next up, Toronto continues its road trip in Utah, facing off against the Mammoth Tuesday night at the Delta Center.
