The Toronto Maple Leafs played their first game of the 2024-25 season without Mitch Marner, and William Nylander returned to his hometown to try and score his first ever goal in the Saddledome.

The Maple Leafs test Dustin Wolf early on in the game, making him show off his Calder-talk inducing moves, stopping five shots before the flames were able to get offensive zone time. Bobby McMann drove the net hard, and almost had a goal but the puck was lost in the pile of bodies he left behind.

Calgary finally gets some quality time in the Leafs end, in the corner john Tavares tries to reach around Mackenzie Weegar, but ends up slapping his skates out from under him and takes the first penalty of the game for tripping.

The Leafs penalty kill does it's job well this time, keeping the Flames to the perimeter of the zone, and constantly regrouping and attempting zone entry. No shots, no goals.

John Tavares scores by batting the puck into the net, but Calgary immediately calls for a review on the goal for either goaltender interference or high sticking.

After a very, very, very, lengthy review it's decided Tavares' stick was above the crossbar, so it's no goal. Lucky Flames.

The overturned goal is the fuel to the Flames fire as newly acquired Joel Farabee finds a pick that Woll missed and scoops it into the net from the side.

The Leafs challenge that one, calling goaltender interference as players crowded the crease, and perhaps Jonathan Huberdeau caught up Wolls equipment?

The Leafs get their revenge, as the Calgary goal is called back. Also Joel Farabee has to give the puck back, because it was his first Flames goal.

L-O-L

No score midway through the period.

The Maple Leafs get called for another penalty, this time it's Connor Timmins going away for hooking.

Nazem Kadri almost scores the Flames first (official) goal of the game, and while trying to clear the puck Jake McCabe sends it over the glass, getting a penalty and Calgary gets a 1:52 two man advantage.

Chris Tanev is doing a good job clearing the puck, lots of chasing it down the ice for the Flames.

The Flames finally get control, and they rush the net and they are able to scramble things up enough for Matt Coronato to score and give the Flames a late first period leave.

1-0 Calgary.

The Maple Leafs keep trying to tie it up, but Calgary outpaces them offensively for the rest of the period.

After 20 minutes, Calgary leads 1-0 in goals, and 10-7 in shots.

Fun trying to watch this game.

At the start of the second the Maple Leafs get their first powerplay of the game after Mackenzie Weegar is called for tripping Matthew Knies.

William Nylander and Matthew Knies team up to almost get the Leafs their first goal, but Knies can't dig it out from under Wolf before the whistle.

The duo teams up again before the power play expires and this time they put the puck away to tie the game.

Then Brayden Pachal is called for interference, so Auston Matthews and John Tavares team up to get the Leafs the lead eight seconds into the power play.

It's a penalty parade period it seems, as Simon Benoit gets called for high-sticking Nazem Kadri. Then shortly after that Steven Lorentz is called for the same thing, giving Calgary another long five on three, which results in another Calgary goal.

The game is tied, and there's 1:08 left in Calgary's power play, which they thankfully don't use.

The Flames now go back to the box as it's their turn. Ryan Lomberg getas a roughing call on Jake McCabe, but the Leafs can't keep with tradition and score a power play goal.

However, they do score the first even strength goal of the game. Bobby McMann doesn't need a man advantage. He has a McMann advantage, and gave the Leafs the McLead.

3-2 Maple Leafs after a flurry of penalties and goals.

William Nylander wants to ends this period on a high note, so he takes a pass from Max Pacioretty and gives under Wolfs glove to get his second of the game.

He's really making up for lost time not scoring in Calgary.

The second period ends, 4-2 for Toronto.

The Leafs continue their offensive ways to start the third, but it's cut off when Brayden Pachal ties up with Connor Timmins, and Timmins gets helped off the ice. They only bright side is the Leafs get a power play here.

Sadly, no Leafs goal on the power play.

The Leafs get back into the Flames end thanks to Auston Matthews grabbing a turnover at centre ice. He shoots and skates left away from the net, everyone follows him, even Wolf, and Matthew Knies gets in there and knocks the loose puck into the net.

On the play Max Domi gets tied up with a Flames defender and Wolf, and there's discussion about whether or not that's challengeable, but it isn't challenged and the Leafs lead 5-2!

However, Calgary responds by scoring right after the face off, thanks to the puck deflecting off Joel Farabee, who doesn't get this one called back.

5-3 Toronto.

Both teams are refusing to drop the pressure, and things are going pretty evenly for a game where the home team is down by two.

Midway through the third the Leafs are only up by 4 shots, with Calgary closing in.

Ryan Reaves almost gives the Leafs a three goal lead again with just over three minutes to go. It was close, and the Leafs bench was ready to erupt for him. Damn they love that guy.

Calgary pulls Wolf, but the Leafs aren't giving them many chances and when one does get through Joseph Woll is there.

The Flames are missing shots, and getting stopped, but they won't quit with a minute to go.

William Nylander shuts that down with a hat trick empty net goal, to seal the Leafs win at 6-3.

Eight years since he had a hat trick. Well, no better time to do it than now. Do it again tomorrow.

So, that's the game. Leafs win 6-3 in Calgary, which makes it even sweeter. Leaf are undefeated this year scoring 4+ goals, Nylander got that scoring in Calgary monkey off his back, and they survived without Marner.

All in all, a good game despite the early challenges ruining the flow.

The Maple Leafs will be back at it Thursday night at 10PM against the Seattle Kraken before coming home for a final game against the Canucks before the Four Nations Face Off break.

See you then!

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