First Period

Leafs got some looks in this period, but weird bounces ruled:

That's a goofy one Marchessault makes it 1-0

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T00:54:57.927Z

Rielly catches Saros in the mask trying to pick a corner

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T01:11:31.105Z

Fraser Minten the story of the period for the Leafs.

couple looks for Minten on the power play

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T01:13:10.466Z
Minten's xG went down a small bit in the second, so I assume a shot was adjusted in the play-by-play.

1-0 Nashville after one.

Second Period

This period was all about the pass the got broken up and the shot that got blocked. It didn't just happen to the Leafs, but those were the annoying instances. The result was an extremely low event period in terms of Shots on Goal and some limited highlights.

Myers catches Josi with a slapshot

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T01:46:39.322Z

Nylander re-direct

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T01:53:06.201Z

William wanting to have a chat with the ref

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T01:54:38.260Z

bad change gives L'Heureux a wraparound attempt Woll stops it

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T02:05:03.066Z

Nylander with a shot at the horn in both the first and second periods.

There wasn't even a power play in this one. After that 20-minute nap, nothing has changed.

Third Period

Craig Berube mixed up the lines a little, putting Mitch Marner with Auston Matthews and Matt Knies to start the third. Result:

AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨 and the Leafs are finally only the board

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T02:34:30.504Z

The follow-up line had Fraser Minten with John Tavares and William Nylander.

And then the top line took another shift:

AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨🚨 The Leafs take the lead!

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T02:39:00.535Z

Simon Benoit took a penalty, and then Mitch Marner drew two, one to make it four-on-four and one at very nearly the end of Benoit's penalty.

The Leafs power play is back:

WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨 It's 3-1 Toronto!

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T02:46:14.313Z

And yeah, okay, I see the point of Matt Knies on the top unit. I wasn't thrilled by it at first, but I've been won over.

In about five minutes of gametime, Marner got three points, drew two penalties and took a few shots at Zachary L'Heureux for running Joe Woll.

The top players were on the ice almost constantly and the next several shifts were time for the bottom six (with Minten back on the third line) to grind the clock a little.

Nashville got one back with three minutes to go.

But Saros doesn't come out of the net until there's barely over a minute.

Marner's ENG attempt was thwarted by a referee who couldn't get out of the way fast enough.

Final score was 3-2 Leafs.

Joe Woll with a very, very good game.

Next game is Friday at home to Washington, the first of a back-to-back. See you then.

Game Coverage