The Maple Leafs led 3-0 after one period before the Avalanche stormed back, scoring four unanswered goals and an empty-netter to win the game.
The Maple Leafs led 3-0 after one period before the Avalanche stormed back, scoring four unanswered goals and an empty-netter to win the game.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche meet, it's always pure entertainment. This game was no different.
Speed, physicality, scoring, this matchup had everything, and more.
The story of the game, though, was about holding the lead. It was a great first period for Toronto, but after that, Colorado pushed and got themselves back into the game.
It was Max Domi who got the Maple Leafs on the board first. His point shot flutters towards the net and deflects off Josh Manson, over Alexandar Gegorgiev, and into the back of the net.
That's Domi's fourth goal of the season and first since Dec. 21 against the Buffalo Sabres.
And the scoring would continue a few minutes later.
Morgan Rielly, whose now one of the Maple Leafs' All-Stars, goes end-to-end and does all the work by himself before beating Georgiev with a backhand.
Rielly's sixth goal of the season puts the Maple Leafs up 2-0 and gives the defenseman six points in his last five games. On the season, he has 33 points in 40 games, which puts him back in the top-10 in NHL scoring for defensemen.
Speaking of defensemen, the final goal of the period came from one, and his name is Timothy Liljegren. He finds the loose puck in front and pots it home for his second goal of the year, pushing Toronto even further in front, 3-0.
This goal doesn't happen without the relentless work of Pontus Holmberg in front of the net. The 24-year-old's fourth helper of the season gives him points in four-straight games with the Maple Leafs.
Although Toronto was leading 3-0 after the first period, they had a 51.43 xGF% at five-on-five following the frame. The Avalanche had a 48.57 xGF% heading into the first intermission.
In the second period, though, the Maple Leafs' third line would continue putting in work. It's a nice tic-tac-toe play, beginning with Calle Jarnkrok, who then found Domi, who then found Holmberg in front.
But Georogiev would absolutely rob Holmberg, not giving him his second point of the night.
Mark Giordano would then take a holding penalty, giving the Avalanche a power play. Right off the face-off, David Kampf clips Ross Colton and Colorado capitalizes with Jonathan Drouin scoring on delayed penalty.
It's the second straight game where Toronto has allowed a goal on the power play.
Nearly eight minutes later, the Avalanche continue pressing the Maple Leafs. After Matthew Knies loses his stick, he turns to pick it up, and leaves his post at the blue line.
That would make Samuel Girard wide open at the point and his shot finds its way onto the stick of Mikko Rantanen, who shovels it in, giving the Avalanche two unanswered goals to put them down by one heading into the second intermission.
The Avalanche would keep pushing in the third period. After a missed opportunity on the power play, Colorado hemmed the Maple Leafs in their own zone and Josh Manson's point shot would hit Andrew Cogliano and he would beat Martin Jones, tying the game at three goals a piece.
Toronto had a three-goal lead going into the first intermission and the Avalanche climb their way back into the game.
And late in the third period, Colorado reaches the peak, erasing a 3-0 deficit and taking the lead. Nathan MacKinnon's shot beats Jones under the glove, putting the Avalanche up by one.
Colton would add an empty netter as the Maple Leafs fall 5-3 to Colorado at home. Toronto has another game on Sunday at Scotiabank Arena against the Detroit Red Wings.
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