The Maple Leafs closed out their season with a win, beating the Detroit Red Wings 4-3.
In a very meaningless game for the Leafs, due to the cap, it was decided to roster a full line up in game 82 including the likes of the core four.
With the Leafs top players only getting limited ice time, this would be a good test for the bottom of the roster to earn their name in a starting position come game one of the playoffs.
In the first period, both teams would not break the ice until the final minutes with Auston Matthews would find the back of the net giving him his 33rd goal of the year.
It would not long after that Detroit would answer as Austin Watson would get one past Leafs’ netminder Joseph Woll to tie the game at 1-1 going into the middle frame.
In the second, just over two minutes into the period, former Leafs defenseman Justin Holl would give Detroit a 2-1 lead.
The Leafs with nothing to play for would get caught flat footed and Detroit would take advantage once again with Alex DeBrincat scoring his 39th of the season on the power play, giving the Red Wings a two goal lead.
The Leafs would have one more period of regular season play and a comeback to end the year off at home was in play.
Philippe Myers would start the comeback with a sweet move to the net getting one past Red Wings’ goaltender Cam Talbot cutting the Detroit lead to one.
It would not be till under ten seconds with the goalie pulled that the Leafs would ultimately tie the game at 3 apiece with Chris Tanev finding a hole over Talbots glove making it a 3-3 game.
This final game would head to overtime.
It only took 56 seconds for the Leafs to end the season off on the right note, as Scott Laughton would score the overtime winner and would end the regular season off in winning fashion.
“Its different out there, usually you wouldn’t see me out there second shift of overtime so that kind of explains it,” Laughton said on playing a meaningless game 82.
After ending the year off in the winning column, the Leafs will look to have there eyes focused on the postseason were they will reignite the Battle of Ontario, facing the Ottawa Senators in the first round.
After the game, Matthews had a chance express his thought on the upcoming Battle of Ontario to start the postseason.
Use CodePHN15. Guys! What does it take? Another holiday comes and goes and you still don’t have a chair or a gift for anyone in the family. Do not disappoint Mom!
“The Battle of Ontario kind of speaks for itself, it’s been a long time and two very proud cities, proud franchises so I think we know what we’re in for. Its’s going to be a tough series. It’s going to be a hard series, we just got to mentally prepare for that,” Matthews said.
The Maple Leafs and Senators will kick off their series Sunday night in Toronto, as it is finally time for the Leafs to show what all fans have been waiting for.
Bring on the playoff hockey.
