TORONTO — October 23, 2024 — William Nylander delivered a stellar performance, scoring two goals and assisting on another to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Arena. Auston Matthews extended his scoring streak to three consecutive games, while goaltender Anthony Stolarz continued his solid run with 32 saves, propelling the Leafs to their fourth win in five games.
“I think we came out pretty good,” Nylander said post-game, highlighting his team’s quick transitions and ability to capitalize on odd-man rushes. “Tampa came back a little bit in the first period, but then I think we played quick and got odd-man rushes the other way so it opened the game up. (We had) a great [penalty kill] and an unbelievable game by (Anthony) Stolarz making some huge saves as well to keep the lead.”
It was a statement game for Nylander, who has been on fire to start the season, contributing to Toronto’s offensive surge. With this win, the Leafs improve to 4-2-0 on the season, while Tampa Bay falls to 3-2-0, having lost two straight games.
Nylander Sets the Tone Early
The scoring started early when Nylander found the back of the net at 3:57 in the first period. The Leafs forward, who has consistently been one of Toronto’s offensive leaders, capitalized on a smooth pass from Max Domi, firing a one-timer from the left hash marks to beat Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. The goal set the tone for a fast-paced and energetic performance by the Maple Leafs.
However, Tampa Bay responded late in the first period when Nicholas Paul tied the game at 1-1. After a breakaway shot by Paul was stopped by Stolarz, defenseman Simon Benoit crashed the net in an attempt to stop the puck, inadvertently sending it in while also sliding into the net. It was a chaotic moment that could have shifted momentum in favor of the Lightning, but Stolarz remained calm and focused.
“You don’t even think about it,” Stolarz said of the mishap. “Part of the game, it’s going to happen. Benoit is just trying to make an effort there and it’s just one of those things where [bad stuff] happens. It is what it is. As a goalie, you just forget about it and worry about the next shot.”
Toronto Seizes Control in the Second
The second period proved decisive for the Maple Leafs, as they pulled away with three unanswered goals. Matthews started the barrage with a power-play goal just 1:56 into the period. Mitch Marner’s initial shot dropped between Vasilevskiy’s pads, and Matthews, with his trademark quick hands, jammed in the rebound to give the Leafs a 2-1 lead.
Nylander wasn’t done yet, scoring his second of the night at 7:33. In a 2-on-1 situation, Nylander opted to shoot rather than pass and beat Vasilevskiy five-hole, extending the Leafs’ lead to 3-1. His decision to shoot was emblematic of his growing confidence as one of Toronto’s most reliable offensive weapons this season.
Adding to Tampa’s woes, Max Pacioretty, returning to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the past two games, scored a pinpoint one-timer from above the left circle at 9:31. His goal made it 4-1, forcing Lightning head coach Jon Cooper to pull Vasilevskiy from the net after he allowed four goals on just 14 shots. Jonas Johansson replaced him in relief, making 14 saves to close out the game.
“Every time we made an error they took advantage of it,” said Cooper. “It was just one of those nights. I look at Pacioretty’s goal and I think that’s kind of how the night went for us. It happens when you play 82. It’s just too bad that it happened in game five.”
Lightning Fail to Capitalize on 5-on-3 Advantage
Tampa Bay’s best chance to get back into the game came shortly after Pacioretty’s goal when the Lightning were awarded a two-minute 5-on-3 power play at 10:02 of the second period. Despite generating seven shots on goal, they were unable to beat Stolarz, whose best save of the night came when he sprawled out to glove a shot from Jake Guentzel that was perilously close to crossing the goal line.
“That might be one of the nicest saves of the year maybe, I don’t know,” Nylander said. “That was insane today. He’s been just so solid for us back there.”
Stolarz’s play has been critical for Toronto, especially with Ilya Samsonov sidelined. His ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, and his confidence continues to grow.
“Just confidence and having that routine day in and day out,” Stolarz said. “(I’m) working with (goalie coach) Curtis Sanford on a lot of things on our practice days, getting my rest, taking care of my body, and I’m just trying to make sure I make the most of this opportunity.”
Knies Ices the Game, Lightning’s Late Push Falls Short
Toronto extended their lead to 5-1 at 14:02 of the second when Matthew Knies scored on a breakaway. After two Lightning players collided in the neutral zone, Knies found himself all alone, skating in on Johansson and beating him five-hole with a wrist shot.
“I saw that it was kind of open and I had some time with it,” Knies said. “I looked back to see if anyone was with me but I was quite alone. I’ve tried that move once or twice before, so fortunately it worked out for me.”
Nylander, impressed by Knies’ poise, praised his teammate’s finishing ability.
“That was a crazy wrist shot from like 5 feet from the goalie but he powered through,” Nylander said. “I loved it.”
Though the game was effectively over by that point, Tampa Bay managed to cut the deficit to 5-2 in the third period when Brayden Point scored a power-play goal at 14:53. Point received a slick pass from Nikita Kucherov, who faked a one-timer before sliding the puck to Point in the slot for the finish. The assist extended Kucherov’s season-opening point streak to five games.
Despite the late tally, Tampa Bay couldn’t mount a serious comeback, and Toronto closed out the game comfortably, improving their record to 4-2-0.
Notes and Key Takeaways
- William Nylander’s Stellar Night: Nylander’s two goals and one assist were pivotal in Toronto’s dominant performance. His decision-making, especially on his second goal, displayed the confidence and poise of a player who is becoming one of the team’s most consistent stars.
- Auston Matthews’ Goal Streak: With his second-period power-play goal, Matthews extended his scoring streak to three games. He continues to be a driving force for Toronto’s offense, particularly in high-pressure moments.
- Anthony Stolarz’s Steady Play: Stolarz has been a revelation for the Maple Leafs in net, filling in admirably for Samsonov. His sprawling glove save on Guentzel during Tampa Bay’s 5-on-3 power play was one of the game’s standout moments and preserved Toronto’s lead when the game could have shifted.
- Vasilevskiy Pulled Early: It was a rare off-night for the Lightning’s star goaltender, as Vasilevskiy was pulled after allowing four goals on just 14 shots. Though a rare occurrence, it underscored how Toronto’s offense was clicking on all cylinders.
- Tampa’s Power-Play Struggles: Despite having a two-minute 5-on-3 advantage in the second period, the Lightning failed to capitalize. It was a crucial missed opportunity that could have changed the course of the game.
- Kucherov Extends Streak: Nikita Kucherov’s assist on Point’s third-period goal extended his season-opening point streak to five games, showcasing his consistency as one of the league’s elite playmakers.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will face the second half of a back-to-back tomorrow. The Lightning will travel to New Jersey to take on the Devils, while the Maple Leafs will head to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets. With Toronto riding a wave of momentum and Tampa Bay looking to snap a two-game losing streak, both games will be pivotal for their respective teams.
For the Maple Leafs, maintaining their pace and building on the chemistry between players like Nylander, Matthews, and Marner will be key. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay will need to regroup, especially on defense and in net, where Vasilevskiy will likely be eager to bounce back from a rare poor performance.
As the season progresses, both teams remain contenders in the Eastern Conference, and while this game was only one of 82, it showcased the offensive firepower and goaltending depth that the Maple Leafs will rely on to make a deep playoff push.
Final Score: Toronto Maple Leafs 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 2.
