The Maple Leafs scored three unanswered and also scored a couple more that were called back upon review.
The Toronto Maple Leafs mounted an impressive comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the third period, ultimately defeating the Washington Capitals 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday. Along the way, they had to contend with two video reviews that negated a couple of goals.
Midway through the third period, Steven Lorentz seemed to bring the Maple Leafs within one after capitalizing on a rebound from teammate Connor Dewar.
However, the goal was reviewed for a possible kicking motion. The puck appeared to deflect off Lorentz’s shin. Head coach Craig Berube argued that this should not be considered a kicking motion.
"I don't understand that call because if you look at the rule, the kicking motion is a skate, right? This wasn't the skate, it's the shin pad. So I don't get it, you know? But guys just stuck with it. They didn’t, they weren't focused on it. They just were focused on the next shift, which was good by them," he said.
According to Rule 49 in the NHL rulebook, kicking is defined as "The action of a player deliberately using his skate(s) with a kicking motion to propel the puck or to contact an opponent."
While the puck did not come off Lorentz's skate, he did lift his leg in an attempt to make contact with the puck.
Moments later, William Nylander scored, narrowing the gap further. Less than a minute after that, Matthew Knies appeared to tie the game, but his goal was disallowed due to a high stick.
"I thought the high stick goal was a goal," Berube insisted. "We looked at it again. I mean, to me it’s a goal, but, you know, that's the way it goes sometimes. You've got to keep battling, and we did."
The rule states that contact with the puck above the crossbar constitutes a high stick. From one angle, it looked as though Knies made contact just at the crossbar. The call on the ice stood, likely due to a lack of conclusive evidence to overturn it.
That didn’t deter Mitch Marner, who scored the tying goal with 48 seconds left in regulation. John Tavares then netted the overtime winner.
The Leafs also successfully challenged a Washington goal for goaltender interference.
With the Capitals up 2-1 in the second period, John Carlson fired a shot through a screened Joseph Woll. However, Nic Dowd had made contact with Woll right before the puck went in, leading to the goal being called back.
Despite a rough first 20 minutes, the Leafs found their rhythm as the game progressed. Bobby McMann set a new career high with eight shots on goal while playing alongside John Tavares and Marner.
