Instant Reaction: Maple Leafs hold off juggernaut Avalanche, take two points in 4-3 OT win

"The Toronto Maple Leafs' win against the Colorado Avalanche on January 12 was the game of the year until further notice. You had the Avalanche, a genuine juggernaut of a team that has only lost in regulation four times this season against a Leafs team that has underperformed to date but strung together some great hockey to the tune of a 7-0-2 record in their last nine games. The result was a back-and-forth affair with star power flourishing on both sides and the Leafs ultimately prevailing with a 4-3 overtime win."

"Easton Cowan opened the scoring off a fluke goal by banking it off of Avalanche defenceman Brent Burns and in, but the Avalanche responded quickly and left the first frame up 2-1 after goals from Cale Makar and Brock Nelson. Bobby McMann tied the game in the second period and the score stayed at 2-2 going into the third. Auston Matthews gave the Leafs the lead with a textbook Auston Matthews snipe in the third period, but the Avalanche weren't going to lose their fifth game in regulation, with a tying goal from Martin Necas looming in the third."

"The Leafs' penalty kill gave up a goal early in the game, but they tightened up and killed two absolutely massive penalties in the third period, including one with just over two minutes remaining in the game. They pushed it to overtime and traded chances once again before William Nylander ultimately sealed the game after a cross-ice pass from Oliver Ekman-Larsson on an odd-man rush."

On January 12 the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in overtime. The Avalanche entered with only four regulation losses this season while the Leafs had a 7-0-2 run in their last nine games. Easton Cowan opened the scoring on a fluke off Avalanche defenceman Brent Burns. Cale Makar and Brock Nelson put Colorado ahead after the first period. Bobby McMann tied it in the second and Auston Matthews gave Toronto a third-period lead. Martin Necas tied the game late. The Leafs killed two crucial third-period penalties and William Nylander finished the game in overtime from Oliver Ekman-Larsson's cross-ice pass.

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