Once again, the Toronto Maple Leafs turned a solid lead into a nail-biter. This time, however, Mitch Marner’s shootout winner saved the day to lift the team to a 4-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Monday. After losing three straight, the Maple Leafs needed a win, and they got it. Perhaps it was too dramatic, but it still counts as two needed points.
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Toronto came out strong and built a workmanlike early 3-0 lead, but Utah’s strong forecheck took over the game and they mounted a fierce comeback to tie the proceedings. The game went to a shootout after the Maple Leafs held on through the third period and the overtime. Marner and Auston Matthews scored for the Maple Leafs, but only Clayton Keller for Utah. Although he started slowly, Joseph Woll stopped 30 shots for the win.
The result? In the tight Atlantic Division race, Toronto now sits just two points behind the Florida Panthers.
Item One: William Nylander Extends His Point Streak
William Nylander gave his team an opening spark when he scored on the power play in the first period to give Toronto a 1-0 lead. With the goal, Nylander extended his point streak to six games (three goals, five assists). In his post-game comments, Nylander reflected on the team’s performance, acknowledging their good start but also their need to improve.
(Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
Nylander noted, “We started the game pretty well and then let them back in. I thought we did a good job battling. And I mean, especially in OT, there was a long shift there. But Woll played great and kept us in the game for the most part.”
Item Two: Calle Jarnkrok Picks Up His First Goal of the Season
Calle Jarnkrok scored his first goal of the season in his second game back. It turned out to be crucial to the team and him. After an injury-riddled season, putting one home had to be a great feeling. Give head coach Craig Berube credit for throwing Jarnkrok into the middle of opportunity. Instead of burying him down the lineup, Berube put Jarnkrok on the second-unit power play and he delivered.
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Jarnkrok, returning from sports hernia surgery and missing 61 games, gave the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead. The great moment marked his first goal of the season and his first in over 14 months. Getting him back at this time of the season could be like picking up veteran leadership just when the team is heading into the postseason. He noted after the game that it was the “first win of the season for me, so it was nice.”
Item Three: Benoit’s Resilient Goal Propels Leafs to Key Victory
Simon Benoit’s first goal in more than a year proved to be a key moment in the Maple Leafs’ win. Early in the second period, he fired a wrist shot from the point that went through everyone on its way to the back of the net. It pushed the Maple Leafs’ lead to 3-0 in what, at the time, seemed to be a laugher. It was Benoit’s first goal since January 2024, and it demonstrated the wisdom of the old hockey saying, “get the puck to the net.”
Benoit is one of the feel-good stories for the Maple Leafs over the past two seasons. Coming out of nowhere with little in his favour, he made the team last season and has proved to be a solid blue liner. Night after night, he is just a stay-at-home defenceman who seldom gets on the scoreboard. Yet you can see his commitment to working hard for the team’s success, regardless of whether he makes a splash doing it. Benoit’s goal and all-round play were key in ensuring the Maple Leafs stayed on track.
Item Four: Matthews and Marner Lead Maple Leafs to Shootout Win
Matthews and Marner delivered key contributions in the shootout win. First, they both scored in the shootout, which were must-score goals. Both players showed up under pressure and performed in the clutch. While Matthews wasn’t much of an offensive factor in regulation, his calm finish in the shootout was crucial. He’s not been scoring tons of goals, but he has been leading his team offensively and is proving to be reliable in whatever way the team needs him.
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Marner scored the decisive goal to clinch the victory for Toronto. He set up Nylander’s game-opener earlier, pushing his point streak to seven games. His all-around offensive play and shootout heroics were vital in the team’s win. Given all the noise at the trade deadline, give Marner credit for his consistency this season. He’s playing lights-out hockey and has become one of Toronto’s key contributors as the team fights for a playoff spot.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
As the Maple Leafs continue their push toward the playoffs, goaltending will be a critical factor in their success. Woll’s game in the win was an example of the importance of solid goaltending in tight games. After the team’s three-goal lead slipped away, Woll stood tall and helped weather Utah’s push. In the end, he made 30 saves and played a key role in keeping the game alive.
His composure in regulation and the shootout ensured the Maple Leafs picked up the win, even when the momentum had totally shifted in Utah’s favor. With postseason placement on the line, Toronto needs more of the same from Woll as they face increasingly challenging games.
The Maple Leafs’ goaltenders need to continue to deliver in high-pressure games. The ability of Woll — or Anthony Stolarz if takes the crease in future games — to make saves will be crucial. With the team’s recent struggles and the tight Atlantic Division race, goaltending will be key in whether the team can maintain its playoff position. Woll’s calm demeanour might be the difference-maker as the Maple Leafs seek to finish the season strong.
