Auston Matthews capped a four-point performance by scoring the winning goal in overtime to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-4 comeback victory against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena.
Nashville built an early lead in the opening period. Steven Stamkos scored on a wrist shot during a power play at 7:13, and Nils Hoglander added an even-strength backhand goal at 9:08. Hoglander widened the margin to 3-0 at 3:03 of the second period with another backhand goal. John Tavares answered for Toronto with a wrist shot at 4:56 to cut the deficit to two, and William Nylander followed with a power-play wrist shot at 6:58. Stamkos restored a two-goal cushion for the Predators at 13:30, but Gavin McKenna responded for Toronto with a wrist shot at 14:31 to bring the score to 4-3.
Jack Roslovic tied the game 4-4 for the Maple Leafs with a wrist shot at 8:54 of the third period. The game remained tied until late in the extra session, when Matthews converted a wrist shot at 4:46 of overtime, assisted by Nylander, to seal the victory for the hosts.
Toronto outshot Nashville 37-25 on the night and controlled the faceoff circle by winning 34 of 53 draws (64.2%). Goaltender Anthony Stolarz stopped 21 of 25 shots and picked up an assist for the Maple Leafs, while Juuse Saros made 32 saves on 37 shots in the loss for the Predators. Both teams converted once on the man advantage, with Nashville going 1-for-1 and Toronto finishing 1-for-3.
The victory moved the Maple Leafs to 2-2-0 on the season, while the Predators moved to 1-1-1. The game marked the first meeting between the clubs on the season schedule. Nylander collected three points with a goal and two assists, while Tavares, McKenna, and Roslovic each recorded their first goals of the campaign.
The Maple Leafs remain at Scotiabank Arena to host the San Jose Sharks on Monday, October 19. The Predators visit the Boston Bruins on Thursday, October 22.
