Maple Leafs Take Down Lightning In Overtime

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs squared off Wednesday in a game that had playoff implications. Coming into the game, the lightning were two points behind Toronto for first place in the division. Both teams have already clinched a spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but are still fighting to determine home-ice and their first round opponents.

The Maple Leafs took down the Lightning 4-3 in an overtime thriller.

Leafs Quick Start

Coming off a loss to the Florida Panthers Tuesday night, Toronto’s big 5 of Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Knies and Tavares only managed to register one point off an unassisted John Tavares goal in the 2nd period.

It took only a minute and thirteen seconds into this contest for Mitch Marner to fire one top-shelf on lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Only a few minutes later, Tampa turned it over in their defensive zone a second time, and Matthew Knies made no mistake putting the puck in the back of the net off a Matthews shot.

Lightning Strike Back

Meanwhile, just before the first frame ended, Anthony Cirelli was able to find Nick Perbix at the right point for his sixth goal of the season, cutting the deficit to one.

However, during the second period, goalies Andrei Vasilevskiy and Anthony Stolarz stood on their heads keeping the scoresheet clean in the middle frame.

Special Teams Impact

Coming into the game, the Leafs held a record of 32-1-1 when leading after two periods. Although, just 50 seconds into the period, Oliver Bjorkstrand tucked it home from the slot on the powerplay.

The special teams parade continued later in the third. Tampa’s Emil Lilleberg was called for a double-minor due to a high stick on Leafs’ John Tavares.

The man of the night, Matthew Knies hit the post 30 seconds into the powerplay, and just ten seconds later found the rebound in front of the net to tuck home his second goal of the game.

As if the two goals weren’t enough, Lightning captain Victor Headman released a rocket of a shot from the point as Tampa’s powerplay was coming to an end.

Overtime Chaos

Only 30 seconds into overtime, Brayden Point stole the puck off Morgan Rielly but was met by the left blocker of Stolie the Goalie. Less than a minute later, a stretch pass to Oliver Ekman-Larrsson caught Tampa in a change, but Vasilevskiy stood tall with a left blocker save of his own.

Finally, Knies made no mistake slamming the puck into the net from Matthews backdoor feed, completing his hat-trick.

Matthew Knies caps off his hat trick with the overtime winner!

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/RAvRwS6rzm

— NHL (@NHL) April 10, 2025

Tampa Killer

Mathew Knies recorded his second career hat-trick with his game-winning goal. Knies has proven to be a problem when he plays against the Lightning. Over ten career games against Tampa, Knies has recorded 16 points and has a +13 rating. His overtime goal makes it the second straight game that Knies has recorded the game-winning goal against the Lightning.

THE LEAFS WIN IN OVERTIME! pic.twitter.com/1T4YVgX9tW

— NHL (@NHL) April 10, 2025

Playoff Picture

The Maple Leafs were able to improve their separation in the standings with the win. With four games remaining in the season, Toronto sits atop the Atlantic division with 100 points, Tampa sits in second with 97 points and the Florida Panthers sit in third with 94 points.

Tampa Bay and Florida will match up once more on Tuesday in Tampa. It’s possible that game is a round one playoff matchup preview.

NHL Standings & Scoreboard @NHL #NHL pic.twitter.com/8Ecsfpd0Pv

— Jeff Benson (@JeffBensonIOWA) April 10, 2025