John Tavares and Auston Matthews Solve Lukas Dostal in Historic Game as Maple Leafs Sneak Past Ducks in Overtime
The Maple Leafs scored their first goal on their 51st shot of the game, and ended it in overtime four shots later.
Goaltending was a hot topic in Anaheim on Wednesday.
Ahead of the game between the Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks, the story was whether Toronto would give rookie Dennis Hildeby his NHL debut or start Martin Jones in back-to-back games.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe chose the latter.
However, following the game, the story was at the other end of the rink, as Lukas Dostal stopped 55 shots. Jones, though, shouldn't be forgotten, as he's allowed only one goal on his last 59 shots in his last two games.
It was a heck of a game for the goaltenders at both ends of the Honda Center on Wednesday night.
The Maple Leafs' best chance of the first period came on the stick of Auston Matthews. After a scramble in front of the net, the 26-year-old tries to tuck it behind Lukas Dostal, but former Maple Leaf Ilya Lyubushkin slams his stick down to stop the puck on the goal line.
One of the great stories from this season has been the emergence of Simon Benoit. The 25-year-old signed a one-year deal with Toronto after the Ducks elected not to qualify the defenseman, and the rest has been history.
Ahead of the Maple Leafs game against Anaheim, colleague David Alter wrote a great story on how Benoit found success with Toronto, plus where his game could go.
After plenty of offensive chances on Anaheim, Benoit made a great sliding play to break up a two-on-one in the first period.
The action continued in the second period, with both teams trading chances. Nearly halfway through the game, though, Bobby McMann hit Pavel Mintyukov into the boards awkwardly, which got the 27-year-old forward ejected.
Worst case scenario, this is a boarding call. McMann throws his shoulder into Mintyukov. It's not a hit from behind, nor a dangerous play. McMann answered for the hit straight after, fighting Lyubushkin, but I don't believe he should've been ejected.
Nevertheless, the Ducks would receive a power play because of it. After an Alex Killorn roughing penalty against Jake McCabe, both teams would find themselves with four skaters.
Anaheim — as the four-on-four concluded, was able to capitalize on one of their chances.
Frank Vatrano was all alone in front, and he beat Jones after making a move around the veteran netminder, putting Anaheim up 1-0 with a shorthanded goal nearly 12 minutes into the second period.
For the remainder of the frame, it was all Maple Leafs, but they couldn't seem to solve Dostal, who had an incredible first two periods, stopping all 33 shots.
It seemed destined that Dostal would set the NHL record for most saves in a shutout win, but during Toronto's fifth power play of the game, Tavares finally solved the 23-year-old netminder, sweeping in a rebound for his 12th goal of the season.
Toronto's 15th shot on the power play — and 51st of the game — was the one that solved Dostal. Who would've thought?
After allowing the goal, the 23-year-old netminder would stop the remaining three shots in regulation, setting a new Ducks single-game record for most saves (54).
But the fun for Anaheim would come to an end in overtime. Toronto dominated pressure, and eventually, Matthews, on his 13th shot of the game, would find the twine behind Dostal.
That's his 30th goal in 35 games this season, which puts him three goals ahead of Nikita Kucherov for the league lead. Credit to the 26-year-old who sneaks behind two Anaheim players before receiving and scoring his first game-winning goal of the season.
The Maple Leafs now have back-to-back wins, sweeping the California road trip thus far. Next stop: San Jose on Saturday night.
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