Nylander returns, Maple Leafs top Canucks in shootout to end 6-game slide
Matthews cut in off the right wing both times, but after being stopped by Nikita Tolopilo cutting across the crease to the blocker side in the extra period, he deked back the other way and lifted a backhand past Tolopilo’s outstretched glove in the shootout.
“I came down with an idea what I wanted to do, and it obviously didn’t work out but coming down that first time, I was just going to stick to my guns, but I thought there was some room there on that glove side,” Matthews said. “Luckily, I got that second opportunity in the shootout, and I didn’t want to make that mistake twice.”
Max Domi scored the tying goal early in the third period, and Nicolas Roy also scored for the Maple Leafs (25-21-9), who had lost eight of nine (1-6-2). Joseph Woll made 28 saves.
“Big to get back in the win column,” Woll said. “And I thought an unbelievable third period by us, really setting the tone for the rest of the game, overtime, and two big goals by our big dogs in the shootout and that’s a great win. From here on out, we need every game pretty badly, so it’s going to be playoff mindset.”
Tom Willander and Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored for the Canucks (18-31-6), who have two wins in their past 17 games (2-12-3). Tolopilo made 39 saves.
“I thought we had a bit of a rough third,” Willander said. “They did a good job keeping pressure, but I think effort was there. I think a lot of guys battled hard today.”
Lekkerimaki gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead at 1:55 of the second period after receiving a pass off the left boards from Liam Ohgren and snapping a quick shot short side over Woll’s blocker from the top left hash mark. It was Lekkerimaki’s first goal since the season opener on Oct. 9 in his 11th game of the season.
