The Toronto Maple Leafs rallied from a three-goal hole to defeat the Nashville Predators 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday, with Auston Matthews completing the comeback at Scotiabank Arena.

Matthews secured the win at 4:46 of the extra frame, cleaning up a rebound off a William Nylander shot that was initially saved by Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros. In addition to the game-winner, Matthews tallied three assists during regulation time to help force overtime.

McKenna makes his mark

The night carried extra meaning for Gavin McKenna. The No. 1 overall pick scored his first NHL goal and also earned his first professional point with an assist on a John Tavares goal.

Nylander, Tavares and Jack Roslovic also scored for Toronto, which improved to 2-2-0. Nylander finished with a goal and two assists, while Roslovic had a goal and an assist. Anthony Stolarz turned aside 21 shots for the win.

Stamkos climbs the all-time list

Steven Stamkos opened the scoring for Nashville on the power play at 7:13 of the first period before Nils Hoglander doubled the lead less than two minutes later off an end-boards rebound, and then found the back of the net again early in the second period. Despite the ultimate loss, Stamkos's two goals on the night elevated him to 17th place on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring leaderboard.

How Nashville built its lead

Stolarz kept Toronto in it early with a couple of big saves, but the Predators broke through on the power play when Stamkos scored at 7:13 of the first period. Less than two minutes later, at 9:08, Hoglander grabbed a rebound that bounced off the end boards and put it in for a 2-0 lead.

Hoglander struck again just 3:03 into the second period, finishing another chance from close range to make it 3-0.

Toronto answers back

It started at 4:56 of the second when Tavares got his on a rush assisted by McKenna. Then Toronto cut the gap to one when Nylander scored on a power play at 6:58. Stamkos answered right back at 13:30 with his second of the night to put Nashville up by two once again. Just 61 seconds later, however, the Leafs responded when McKenna tallied his first NHL goal to make it 4-3.

Tying goal and overtime finish

Roslovic pulled Toronto level at 8:54 of the third period, beating Saros with a shot that went in off the crossbar.

There was plenty of action in overtime. Toronto missed a 3-on-0 opportunity. Matthews wouldn't let the Leafs squander their second one, beating Saros to finish the comeback.

Written by

Lakshya