Instant Reaction: Maple Leafs choose revelry over celebration with pre-Christmas win against Penguins

William Nylander, who perhaps needed a big night more than anyone, finished the night with four points – two goals and two assists, while Matias Maccelli continued to impress after scoring in his second game in the lineup. While the Leafs originally had a 3-1 lead and allowed the Penguins to creep back into the game to make it 3-3, Max Domi scored a stunner of a game-winning goal that left most fans scratching their heads and wondering why he doesn’t do this every night.

Joseph Woll was solid in net and gave the Leafs every opportunity to win with a performance of 28 saves on 31 shots, while Steven Lorentz and Bobby McMann (empty net) completed the scoring for the Maple Leafs.

While the Leafs didn’t really get a chance to show their first power play without Marc Savard, there wasn’t really a sample size to look for. Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson was called for tripping on the game’s first penalty in the third period, which was then negated by a sharp call from Matias Maccelli. Moments after the team took the ice for 4-on-4, Penguins forward Ben Kindel cut off Nylander on a breakaway opportunity that sent the Leafs back to the power play. Domi scored just seconds after the penalty expired.

While this win certainly can’t be taken as an indication that things are on the right track, this Leafs team needs all the positive momentum they can get. They now get three days off to enjoy Christmas with their loved ones before they get back at it on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators.

PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER