1st period
Mike Babcock had both Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly out on the ice to start. Whether that was a bold move, or just business as usual is anyone's guess.
The game got off to a decent start for the Leafs, with a fair bit of play in both ends and a lot of fast line changes. Gudbranson got a hit in on Kadri that would have been no big deal in any other game, but was cheered enthusiastically by the home crowd.
The Bozak line got the most looks at first, and some extended pressure by them led to the game's first penalty, a slashing call on Sbisa. The call was delayed quite a bit so we got to see Matthews on as the sixth man.
Unfortunately, the ensuing power play could charitably be described as "not great", with the Leafs spending a lot of time in their own zone and allowing Bo Horvat a nifty shorthanded chance.
Toronto seemed to lose focus, and Vancouver spent enough time in the Leafs zone at 5 on 5 that the goal felt inevitable. An extended cycle led to a slapshot goal from Daniel Sedin.
Hyman and Bozak both had chances, and Komarov missed on a pass from Nylander late.
The Leafs led in shots early but the Canucks overtook them 9-7 by the end of the period.
2nd period
Nylander was moved up to the Kadri line by the second period and stayed there for the rest of the game.
Sven Baertschi made it 2-0 early after a play by Leafs fell apart. Andersen didn't have much of a chance on this one.
With the tide of the game now turned in favour of one team, Gudbranson and Martin finally decide to have their useless fight. Conveniently, they're right by the penalty box.
The Leafs had a hard time getting anything started. Thankfully, Andersen continued to be good or things could have been a lot worse. A lot of broken plays - passes missed or intercepted, bouncing pucks, not a great look.
Finally, Komarov was called for interference and the penalty kill seemed to jar something loose, as the last quarter of the penalty was mainly spent in the Vancouver zone.
Less than 30 seconds afterwards, Megna crashed into Freddie Andersen and was called for interference. The Leafs power play looked much better this time, and the best part? It was short!
JvR potted a nifty goal fourteen seconds into the power play to make it 2-1.
A number of Leafs chances followed, including Gardiner and Kadri and a nice effort from Matthews. The Sedin line always seemed to be spending far too much time in the Toronto zone.
Kadri drew a slashing call on Michael Chaput with less than five minutes to go. The ensuing Leafs power play wasn't as great as the previous one but Ryan Miller had plenty of work to do.
Back at 5 on 5 the Leafs kept the pressure on to end the period, outshooting the Canucks 15-10.
3rd period
The third period got off to a good start with some time in the Vancouver end. Miller had to handle a loose puck that came close.
Matthews faced off against Horvat in the Vancouver zone. Horvat won the draw, twice but kept icing the puck. He won the third draw too, but the Leafs kept it in and showed why icing the puck a lot can come back to bite you.
Nice work by Marincin and Hyman to set up a pretty one by Matthews, and the Leafs didn't quit there. They kept control of the play to the point that it took the Canucks almost fourteen minutes into the period to get a shot on goal.
That time included a Vancouver power play after Rielly tripped a Sedin, and another power play drawn by Kadri.
The last five minutes of regular time was just damn good hockey for both teams, with some excellent plays and a heart-stopping chance each in the final minute.
OT
As one might expect the great hockey continued into overtime, although again the Leafs dominated, forcing Miller to make save after save. (My notes are literally "Miller save. Miller save. Miller save. Andersen save. Miller save.")
The shots on goal stood at 7 to 1 but ultimately, this one needed a shootout
Shootout
Granlund: scores
Matthews: no
Horvat: scores
Marner: scores
Sutter: no
Bozak: no
