"In a battle between two of the worst possession teams in the league based on the publicly available metrics, the Leafs flipped the script they've followed to win many games under Craig Berube by actually controlling more of the possession, particularly in the second period, while giving up more high-danger looks, per Natural Stat Trick. To open the game, the Sharks quickly drew a penalty against Simon Benoit for tripping."
"After settling into the game, the Leafs started to get down to work on the cycle, with multiple extended shifts in the offensive zone thanks to strong work on the forecheck and aggressive play at the Sharks' line to keep the puck in the zone. The Leafs didn't generate a ton of good chances with that possession time, but when they did, Alex Nedeljkovic was up to the challenge."
"The Leafs then broke through first late in the first period. William Nylander, working with new linemates on the "third" line, looked a lot more like his normal puck-dominant self, circling the zone and scanning the ice for an opportunity. After shaking a defender, he turned back behind the net to set up Jake McCabe for a one-timer that was deflected in front by Dakota Joshua before bouncing off old friend Timothy Liljegren and into the back of the net."
Toronto controlled more possession than San Jose, particularly in the second period, but surrendered higher-danger looks and fell 3-2 in overtime. San Jose drew an early tripping penalty on Simon Benoit, yet Toronto's penalty kill held up despite a few passes through the seams. Toronto generated extended offensive-zone shifts through a strong forecheck and aggressive play at the Sharks' line, producing limited high-quality chances while Alex Nedeljkovic made key saves. San Jose created chances off turnovers and drew a penalty shot, with Dennis Hildeby standing tall. Toronto scored first on a Nylander–McCabe sequence involving Dakota Joshua and Timothy Liljegren.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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