The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, despite a lackluster performance from their top line, according to coach Sheldon Keefe. Bobby McMann emerged as a hero for the Maple Leafs, scoring their first goal early in the second period to level the game after a shaky start. Keefe praised McMann’s confidence and strong play, highlighting his impact on the ice.
Max Domi and John Tavares also contributed to Toronto’s win, with Domi scoring a goal and assisting in another, and Tavares netting the game-winner in the third period. Ilya Samsonov made 29 saves for the Maple Leafs in the absence of star forward Mitch Marner, who was sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Montreal’s Mike Matheson and Alex Newhook found the net for the Canadiens, with Matheson also providing an assist. Despite the loss, Matheson felt the Canadiens played well against a strong Maple Leafs team. Juraj Slafkovsky chipped in with two assists, and Sam Montembeault stopped 24 shots in goal for Montreal.
The game was a heated matchup between two historic rivals, with fans from both teams creating a lively atmosphere at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens managed to tie the game early in the third period with a power-play goal from Newhook, but Toronto regained the lead with Tavares’ goal.
Toronto’s penalty kill unit came up big late in the game, holding off Montreal’s attempts to equalize despite sustained pressure. Keefe praised the penalty kill for its resilience in a crucial moment.
The victory marked the first meeting between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens since Toronto’s dramatic comeback win at the start of the season. The game featured intense back-and-forth action, with both teams showcasing their skills.
The Maple Leafs will continue their road trip with a game against the Philadelphia Flyers, while the Canadiens will host the Columbus Blue Jackets in their next matchup.
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