Introduction
The Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves on the wrong side of a determined comeback on Thursday night, falling 3–2 in overtime to the San Jose Sharks at Scotiabank Arena. Despite holding a two-goal advantage midway through the contest, Toronto watched its lead evaporate as San Jose mounted a persistent push, capped by Alexander Wennberg’s decisive goal in the extra frame.
Wennberg’s performance, which included a goal and two assists, propelled the Sharks to a resilient victory and pushed their season record to 15-14-3. Toronto, meanwhile, slipped to 14-11-5 in a game that highlighted both their lingering injury challenges and their difficulty closing out tight contests.
Sharks Erase Toronto’s Early Edge
Matthews Helps Build a Multi-Goal Lead
Toronto opened the game with energy and efficiency, generating sustained pressure against San Jose goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic. After scoring earlier in the night, the Maple Leafs doubled their advantage in the second period when Auston Matthews buried his 13th goal of the season on the power play.
The goal not only extended Toronto’s lead to 2–0, but also snapped a troubling slump that had seen the Maple Leafs register just two goals in their previous 28 power-play attempts. Over the past seven games, however, Matthews had maintained his scoring touch, adding his fourth goal over that stretch.
Toronto’s strong start suggested that the home side had command of the game, but San Jose refused to go quietly.
San Jose’s Comeback Takes Shape
Orlov Ends Hildeby’s Shutout Streak
With the Maple Leafs seemingly in control, the Sharks finally broke through late in the second period. Dmitry Orlov ended Toronto goaltender Dennis Hildeby’s impressive shutout streak at 132 minutes and six seconds, scoring his first goal of the season to cut the deficit to 2–1.
The goal shifted momentum squarely toward San Jose, giving the Sharks renewed energy heading into the final frame.
Klingberg Forces Overtime With Late Equalizer
The Sharks continued pressing in the third period, believing a tying goal was within reach. Their persistence paid off with less than four minutes remaining in regulation.
After an earlier bid from Barclay Goodrow was overturned due to an offside review, San Jose responded quickly as John Klingberg hammered a point shot past Hildeby to knot the game 2–2.
Klingberg’s tally, complemented by an earlier assist, marked a standout performance for the defenseman and set the stage for an intense finish.
Overtime Magic: Wennberg Seals the Win
A Skillful Finish in Extra Time
Just under three minutes into the overtime period, Alexander Wennberg delivered the finishing blow. Cutting toward the net, Wennberg showcased exceptional control by kicking the puck from his skate to his stick before lifting it past Hildeby from close range.
The goal not only secured the victory for San Jose but also capped a three-point night for the veteran forward, who played arguably his strongest game of the season. His offensive contributions, combined with smart playmaking, were instrumental in turning the tide after Toronto’s early dominance.
Nedeljkovic Backstops Sharks to Victory
Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic provided a steady presence throughout the night, making 28 saves and withstanding several high-danger opportunities from Toronto’s top attackers. His timely stops allowed San Jose to remain competitive while they chipped away at the deficit.
Leafs’ Defensive Injuries Continue to Mount
Ekman-Larsson Exits With Injury
Toronto’s blue line has been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, and Thursday added another setback. Already missing top defensemen Chris Tanev (upper-body injury) and Brandon Carlo (lower-body injury), the team lost Oliver Ekman-Larsson early in the third period.
The injury occurred during a battle along the boards when Sharks winger Adam Gaudette inadvertently fell on Ekman-Larsson’s left ankle. The veteran defenseman was unable to continue, leaving Toronto even more depleted on the back end and forcing head coach Sheldon Keefe to shorten his rotation.
Debut of Henry Thrun
With the Leafs stretched thin defensively, Thursday also marked the debut of Henry Thrun, who joined the lineup in place of Dakota Mermis. Thrun, acquired from San Jose in July in exchange for Ryan Reaves, stepped into a depth role. His performance drew attention given the unusual circumstances of facing his former team immediately upon entering the Maple Leafs’ lineup.
Reaves Reflects on Return to Toronto
A Fired-Up Response From the Veteran
San Jose forward Ryan Reaves, who spent part of last season with Toronto before being placed on waivers, faced questions about his return. Reaves appeared motivated as he addressed his past stint with the organization.
“They basically said that I couldn’t play in this league anymore,” Reaves said after the morning skate. “And I’m back.”
His remarks added an emotional subplot to the game, highlighting the friction-filled ending to his Toronto tenure. Reaves appeared energized throughout the contest, pushing the pace physically and contributing to San Jose’s resolved effort.
Key Moments That Shaped the Game
H3: Turning Point — Wennberg’s Overtime Winner
Wennberg’s creative foot-to-stick maneuver in overtime was the defining moment. His goal exemplified the skill and composure needed to capitalize in three-on-three play and ultimately completed San Jose’s comeback.
H3: Critical Stat — Matthews Nears Franchise Goal Record
With his goal in the second period, Auston Matthews reached 414 career goals, placing him just seven goals shy of passing franchise legend Mats Sundin (420) for the most goals in Toronto Maple Leafs history.
The milestone looms large as Matthews continues to cement his standing as one of the franchise’s most prolific scorers.
Game Takeaways
Maple Leafs
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The power-play goal provided brief relief after a prolonged slump.
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Defensive injuries continue to disrupt team stability.
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Henry Thrun’s debut added depth but also underscored the fragile state of the blue line.
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Hildeby delivered a strong performance despite the eventual overtime loss.
Sharks
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Alexander Wennberg delivered one of his finest performances of the season.
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Nedeljkovic’s resilience kept the Sharks within striking distance.
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John Klingberg contributed significantly at both ends of the ice.
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Ryan Reaves’ return storyline brought an emotional edge to the matchup.
Conclusion
Thursday’s contest showcased the unpredictability and momentum swings that define NHL hockey. The Maple Leafs appeared poised for a critical win after building a 2–0 lead, but the Sharks demonstrated grit, patience, and determination in engineering a full comeback.
Alexander Wennberg’s overtime heroics punctuated a memorable night for San Jose, who head home with a hard-fought victory against a skilled Toronto squad. For the Maple Leafs, the loss raises continued questions about defensive depth, consistency, and their ability to protect leads as the season progresses.
As Toronto looks ahead to its next matchup, the focus now shifts to recovery, regrouping, and solutions for a battered defensive corps—while the Sharks celebrate a statement win anchored by one of their veterans’ most impactful performances of the season.
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