Dakota Joshua discusses the momentum swing that led to the game-winning goal against Blackhawks

An incredible three-goal comeback to beat the Blackhawks 3-2 saw Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Auston Matthews and Dakota Joshua all score ten minutes apart to avoid dropping their third straight game. The third period was such a drastic change from what happened in the previous two. Joshua said it only takes one jump in their favor to give them a jolt of energy.

“I think it’s just momentum swings, you have to believe you can make a comeback and those were two big points we needed,” Joshua said. “It was fun to see us come together and figure it out together.”

The Blackhawks started to take over the game in the second period, and a lot of that came from the Leafs shooting themselves in the foot. Head coach Craig Berube’s message to the team at that moment was simple.

“Self-inflicted wounds that we did to ourselves,” Joshua said. “Too many turnovers that can’t happen and we just have to be better.”

When Joshua was asked after the game what the Leafs can get from such a comeback win, the answer focused on how it should come from within.

“I think it’s a lesson that if we play our game, things will go in the right direction and if we don’t, things will go in the wrong direction,” Joshua said. “I think it’s a pretty simple message: it’s a 60-minute match and that’s what we need to win.”

Acquired from Vancouver in the off-season, Joshua now has six goals and four assists in his first 30 games while donning the blue and white of the Leafs.

The Leafs now head on a three-game road trip, making stops in Washington, Nashville and Dallas before returning home to host Pittsburgh ahead of the holiday break.

PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER