Dylan Larkin had a goal and an assist, leading the Red Wings past the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.
After giving up 6 goals in three of their last four games, Toronto needed a boost on the defensive end. Joseph Woll did his part, stepping up and saving 39 out of 41 shots, but his teammates had a couple of lapses that cost the Leafs an extra point.
The game started off well for the home squad. Scott Laughton put Toronto in front at the 4:46 mark of the first period. Steven Lorentz dug the puck off the boards, centred it to Calle Jarnkrok, who found Laughton at the side of the Red Wings’ net. The winger snuck it by Detroit goalie John Gibson to make it 1-0.
Toronto held that lead all the way until the final minute of the period, but with 18 seconds left, Lucas Raymond started a rush for the Wings, took a given an go pass from Dylan Larkin, then fed a trailing Simon Edvinsson, who wristed a shot past Woll to tie the game 1-1.
Neither team could find the back of the net in the second or third period, sending the game into overtime.
Detroit took charge in the extra frame, swarming the Leafs, and with just under two minutes left, Moritz Seider bullied the puck away from Easton Cowan at centre ice, skated down toward Woll and backhanded a pass to an incoming Larkin who put home the game winner.
Next up, Mitch Marner returns to Scotiabank Arena Friday night as the Maple Leafs host the Vegas Golden Knights.
