4 tips from Leafs-Penguins: Domi scores a sensational goal, Nylander drives into the attack

“It’s a boost. We’re going to have a better Christmas, I think, if you love Christmas,” Berube said. “I know Brad is talking about the power play (Derek Lalonde), but what I meant is that the stuff looks at everything together. Does he run the meetings? Yes.”

Here are four takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 win over the Penguins:

Max Domi’s sensational goal leads Leafs to victory

Toronto defeated Pittsburgh 12-7 when Domi was on the ice at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick, and the 30-year-old used his speed and tenacity to set up the forecheck. Domi was often too patient in high-risk areas, but when the match was on the line he scored a crucial match-winner in what could be his best moment of the 2025/26 season.

Domi downplayed the significance of his game winner, stating that it was more important for the team to secure victory. Nylander was much more effusive about Domi’s end-to-end rush after the match.

“It was nasty. He flew, dipsy-doodle right in, and it was a huge goal for us. It was a lot of fun to watch,” Nylander said.

Perhaps it’s an image worth a million words as Domi received the team belt, awarded to the best or most impactful player during a Leafs win:

William Nylander delivers his best offensive performance since November

William Nylander admitted after Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars that he has never felt this way during his career. Nylander appeared to be lacking in confidence, mired in an 11-game drought, with the Maple Leafs desperately needing him to return to his early-season form. Nylander answered the call with an excellent performance, scoring a goal, adding two assists and then adding an empty-net marker to punctuate the win.

“I felt like I felt that way the last couple games, but the puck went in tonight,” Nylander said after the game.

So maybe that’s all it takes: a brace against a Penguins team that will miss the playoffs. Nylander worked well with John Tavares and Matias Maccelli, showing the dynamic skating and puck skills he is known for. He set up the offensive zone before handing the puck to Maccelli, then Maccelli fired it off Parker Wotherspoon’s skates during the first period. Nylander was locked in and while he could have been more involved on the defensive side of the puck, it was his best performance of the month.

“Taking pucks to the net more than anything. Getting open and driving it. That line makes a lot of action, which is good to see,” Berube said when asked what he liked about Nylander’s performance.

Nylander also had a few chances that went unrewarded, as he was taken down by Penguins rookie Ben Kindel during a 4-on-4 opportunity in the third period during a breakaway. He drove over the net with real power shortly after Domi restored the lead, and you could imagine a potential four-goal display from Toronto’s star winger. It’s certainly a step in the right direction during the three-day break.

Chris Tanev delivers mixed performances in return for the lineup

Tanev gave a candid self-assessment of his play and said he could return on Monday.

“I think I’ve played half a game in nine weeks. Not fun. I think this is the longest stretch of my career where I haven’t played. Definitely a lot of ups and downs. I’m just trying to keep going through it and stay positive and was super happy to be on the ice.”

“I wasn’t great in the first one. I gave someone a Christmas present beforehand, but luckily Joe (Woll) took it away. After those two plays in the first one weren’t ideal, but after missing nine weeks, you see in your head how the game is going to go and what’s going to happen, and it comes a lot quicker than you think. I think I got better as the game went on, but there’s definitely still a lot to improve on.”

Domi spoke at length about Tanev’s leadership after the match.

“If you look up a good teammate in the dictionary, not that there is a definition for it, he would be right there,” Domi said of Tanev. He is one of the best teammates I have ever encountered, one of the best professionals. He is the ultimate professional. He goes there and empties the tank every shift. He does the hardest thing: he eats pucks for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And that’s on the ice. You see all those things. Off the ice, his leadership and experience calms our entire group.”

“The poise and leadership he brings. He makes plays. He leads on and off the ice. It’s great to have him back,” Nylander said of Tanev.

We need to take a deeper look at the power play following the firing of Marc Savard

Toronto finally got a power play during the third period, but it lasted 31 seconds after Matias Maccelli was called for a slash. We certainly need a much larger sample size to determine how the power play works after Savard. During the extremely limited sample, Auston Matthews entered the offensive zone with speed and intentionality, and puck movement appeared better before Maccelli’s offense.

Matthews, Maccelli, Nylander, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly made up the first group, which, at least on paper, provides the team with two shooters, a bumper presence, a playmaker and a quarterback from the point. It remains to be seen if Toronto’s latest power play can make any progress, with Lalonde, Berube and the rest of the Maple Leafs staff taking on a much bigger magnifying glass.