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The Toronto Maple Leafs have been following a blueprint that could lead to their downfall down the road, but they can get away with in October when most NHL clubs are feeling their way.
In similar fashion to their comeback win in the season opener over Montreal, the Leafs rallied from a two-goal deficit in the latter half of the third period to force overtime, where John Tavares provided a sequel to his series-clinching overtime goal six months ago to give Toronto a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Saturday.
DEJA VU ✨ pic.twitter.com/PTEgaUxtnG
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 22, 2023
After William Nylander opened the scoring early in the first, Toronto defensively lost track of one the best players in the NHL, allowing Nikita Kucherov free reign to take control of the game. The Lightning sniper scored twice on the power play and assisted on Alex Barre-Boulet’s goal to give Tampa a 3-1 lead and chase goalie Ilya Samsonov, who allowed three goals on four shots.
The story of the game was the stellar goaltending of Joseph Woll, who pitched a 28-save shutout in relief, and the combo of Max Domi and Matthew Knies, who combined for two goals in 2:22 late in the third to tie the game.
“It was great to see those guys connect. It was great to see a young guy like Knies get a couple at an important time. For Max to come through for the team at that time was huge.… Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game. “(Woll) has been great. I thought he played well in the start that he had (against Chicago). In practice this week, he was outstanding and competitive. To see him step in and do the job for our guys tonight was really huge. It is another young guy coming up in a big moment for us.…
MATTHEW KNIES!!! pic.twitter.com/7LMLv7iPrm
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 22, 2023
Although Samsonov cannot be blamed for two of the three goals on Saturday, the Leafs cannot be pleased with his performances so far. Giving up five to the Habs in the opener, four against Minnesota in a 7-4 win on October 14, and two from long range in a 3-1 loss to Florida. Toronto will naturally have to tighten up defensively as the season evolves, but they will also need their goaltending to make big saves to earn points in a highly competitive Atlantic Division.
Thus far, Samsonov has not made big saves and Woll has, but in a short sample size. Keefe indicated that Woll will get the start against Washington on Tuesday and if he plays like he did in Tampa over the weekend, it is possible that the Leafs will ride the 25-year-old to see where he takes them.
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