Maple Leafs Complete Comeback Against Blue Jackets, but Lose 6-5 in Overtime
Toronto had five goals in the third period, ultimately completing the comeback, but couldn't find the back of the net in overtime.
It seemed like an obvious winning night for Toronto going into Thursday night, but the opposite happened. But it was very close to not happening.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are the worst team in the NHL's Metropolitan Division, though it didn't seem like it as they dominated one of the league's hottest teams in the Maple Leafs in the first two periods.
Toronto looked like a tired team, making a lot of mistakes early. But they competed in the third period, scoring five goals in the final frame to complete the comeback. Ultimately, though, the Maple Leafs allowed a goal in overtime, falling to the Blue Jackets 6-5.
First period
The Maple Leafs struggled in the first period to get anything going offensively. While they did get a few chances, Columbus got the best of them, scoring two goals in the opening frame.
First, it was Max Domi giving it away to Kent Johnson behind the net. Johnson then found Patrik Laine in front all alone and he beat Ilya Samsonov over the glove.
It continued to go downhill on multiple fronts for Toronto. A few minutes after the Blue Jackets' first goal, Ryan Reaves went awkwardly into the boards and looked to have hurt his left leg.
He tried to skate to the bench, but immediately went down to the ice. The 36-year-old had to be helped off the ice by two of his teammates and then appeared to have fallen in the tunnel after exiting the game.
The Maple Leafs announced prior to the third period that Reaves wouldn't return to the game due to a lower-body injury.
Later in the first period, Columbus found the back of the net again, with the help of Johnson. This time, he tipped Andrew Peeke's shot-pass in the slot, which beats Samsonov over his right shoulder.
Second period
Injuries would continue in the next frame as William Lagesson trips up Patrik Laine. The 25-year-old forward would remain down for a minute or so before heading straight to the Blue Jackets room.
Cole Sillinger didn't like the play from Lagesson, so he stepped in. The two players each went to the box, Lagesson for tripping, Sillinger for roughing.
During the four-on-four, a Columbus shot bounced off the end boards and Justin Danforth banked it off Samsonov and into the net. Another difficult goal for Toronto to allow in the game.
The goals continued for the Blue Jackets as Yegor Chinakhov beat Samsonov. Then, after a Lagesson holding penalty, Johnny Gaudreau scored to put Columbus up 5-0 over Toronto.
Watching this game, it felt like everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Maple Leafs. Giveaways up the middle, not being able to make a pass, and even when Toronto did get a chance, Elvin Merzlikins would be there to make the save.
Third period
As the Maple Leafs took to the ice for the third period, they looked like a team that was exhausted. Though when the period started, it was a totally different team.
William Nylander, 38 seconds into the third, was left all alone in front of Columbus's net. Auston Matthews finds him and the 27-year-old makes no mistake, scoring his 14th goal of the season.
Just over three minutes later, Toronto would continue to find scoring. John Tavares finds a trailing Mitch Marner, who protects the puck before going between the legs to beat Merzlikins.
This seemed like a massive goal for the Maple Leafs and if you asked the fans inside Scotiabank Arena, they would likely agree. It was insanely loud inside the building after the goal, and for good reason. It appeared as though a comeback was happening.
Jake McCabe found the back of the net, too, from the point for his second goal as a Maple Leaf.
With 2:35 left in the third period, the Maple Leafs pulled Samsonov to get the extra attacker out. And Matthews, who already had an assist on the night, scored his 22nd goal of the season.
As the clock ticked down to 45 seconds, Matthews found the back of the net again, for his 23rd goal of the season. Toronto completes the comeback from being down 5-0 to start the third period.
But in overtime — after a back and forth from both teams — Johnson, who already had a goal and an assist on the night, beats Samsonov and secures the win for the Blue Jackets.
What a wild game.
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