William Nylander propelled the Toronto Maple Leafs to victory Wednesday night, scoring two decisive goals against the Dallas Stars as the Maple Leafs claimed a 5-3 win. The game, played at the Dallas Stars' home arena, saw the Leafs utilize their star power to pull out the win, even as they faced 41 shots from their opposition.
With the victory, the Maple Leafs have now won four of their last five games and continued their dominance over the Stars, who have now lost eight consecutive matchups against Toronto. Nylander's performance, complemented by Joseph Woll's impressive 36 saves, has solidified the Leafs’ position as formidable contenders this season.
Nylander opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs with his team-leading 20th goal of the season, demonstrating his skill by reeling in a lead pass from captain Auston Matthews and expertly lifting the puck over the sprawling glove of Stars goalie Jake Oettinger to tie the game at 2-2.
"Nylander reeled in Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews' lead pass and lifted the puck over Oettinger's glove to forge a 2-2 tie at 5:15 of the second period," reported Field Level Media. This goal was just one piece of the puzzle as the game saw back-and-forth action early on.
Sam Steel got things rolling for the Stars, scoring at 5:14 of the first period, as he confidently slid the puck through Woll's legs. The Stars’ momentary lead was then answered by Max Domi just 59 seconds later, who wristed the puck from the right circle to tie the game once more.
But, 22 seconds after the start of the second period, Dallas regained the lead when Evgenii Dadonov, using Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly as a screen, put the puck past Woll. This flurry of goals set the stage for the ensuing momentum shift as the Leafs rallied.
After Nylander's equalizer, Toronto struck again shortly thereafter. Nicholas Robertson, who was facing his brother Jason, regained possession of the puck and fired it past Oettinger just 16 seconds after Nylander's goal, adding to the pressure on Dallas.
Bobby McMann later extended the Leafs’ lead to 4-2, taking advantage of the weakened defense of the Stars, which kept Oettinger on his toes. Despite being outshot significantly (41 shots to 19), the Maple Leafs capitalized on their opportunities, showcasing their offensive prowess.
The Stars, desperate to find their footing, managed to get back within one goal late as Colin Blackwell scored with just over 2 minutes left, making it 4-3. But Nylander finished the game with another empty-net goal just 33 seconds later, sealing the win for the visitors.
The opposing teams' dynamics were highlighted by the emotional backdrop of sibling rivalry, as the Leafs’ Nicholas Robertson played against his brother Jason for the first time, with their parents cheering from the stands. This family connection added another layer of significance to the contest.
Joshua Campbell of the Stars stated after the game, "It was hard to maintain consistency, especially against skilled players like Nylander and Matthews. Their team worked together excellently, clearly, with plays coming off crisp passes, not giving us room to breathe.”
On the other hand, Woll's standout performance provided his team with the backbone they needed. The 36 saves against 41 shots showcased his resilience as he diligently kept the Stars at bay. "Joseph Woll made 36 saves to fuel the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-3 victory over the Dallas Stars on Wednesday," reported the Associated Press.
The loss for the Stars marked yet another disappointing chapter this season, as they continue to grapple with their form especially when playing against the Maple Leafs. Dallas coach Rick Bowness lamented, "We've had too many games where we haven't moved the puck as effectively as we should have. Our power play is struggling, and against teams like Toronto, we cannot afford to squander chances."
Overall, the night belonged to the Leafs and particularly to Nylander, who emerged as the night’s hero, affirming his role as one of the Leafs’ key players who consistently delivers when it matters most. The Stars will now look to regroup as they face off against the New York Rangers on Friday, hoping to turn around their fortunes with much-needed confidence.
