Wow. So that was a game. The Leafs beat the Oilers 4-3 after ending the first period up 3-0. It was a messy greasy, crude game. No surprise that it all happened in Edmonton. Here was the Leafs lineup with Joe Woll starting in net.
First one out west@Molson_Canadian | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/F2v3ywpu02
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 1, 2025
And of course the Oilers have so many ex- Leafs from Connor Brown, who we learn hasn't scored in 20 games, to John Klingberg, Kasperi Kapanen, and of course Zach Hyman. Fortunately, that group couldn't invoke the quantum energy of the hockey universe to get a win against their old team, for once.
First Period
It was simply Leafs dominance. There was nothing from the Oilers and the Leafs scored three goals all by the names you have come to expect.
William Nylander
WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨 88 has 30!
— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2025-02-02T00:26:58.058Z
Matthew Knies
MATTHEW KNIES 🚨 PPG! WELCOME BACK!
— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2025-02-02T00:35:08.576Z
Bobby McMann
BOBBY MCMANN 🚨 PPG x2
— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2025-02-02T00:41:07.904Z
Second period
Before the period started we got to see Bobby McMann's mom and dad at the game and in a brief interview she said "it's still seems surreal," and "we feel very blessed." She said he came home to have dinner the night before (it might have been two nights) and I love how very Canadian she sounded and I can totally see that dinner was one like my mom would make when important company was coming over, which would be a pot roast done in the crock pot, served with mashed potatoes, and broccoli that was boiled in a microwave for 30 minutes until it was way way overdone, and of course before dinner some crackers and cheese with a crystal dish filled with those tiny pickles from a jar.
The momentum of the game quickly shifted in the Oilers' favour, with some work by the Leafs to give up the advantage, but Conor Timmins saves the day and Woll stops things again.
Timmins gets down and blocks the pass Woll comes up with the follow-up save
— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2025-02-02T01:30:19.405Z
Woll quickly gets called in for a big save again but this can't last forever and about the half-way mark of the game the Oilers finally get past him.
Evan Bouchard gets one for Edmonton
— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2025-02-02T01:33:06.557Z
The Leafs skate through a missed penalty call on an Interference hit by Perry and then McDavid and Draisaitl are out for the Oilers to wind down the third period, but they can't setup a play. The Leafs respond defensively by icing the puck repeatedly. It's risky but it works and the clock ticks down to end the period with the Leafs up 3-1.
Third Period
Mitch Marner gets back momentum early for the Leafs, though it's with a deflection on his skate and not any particular hockey play.
MITCH MARNER 🚨 18 seconds into the third!
— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2025-02-02T02:09:29.865Z
The Oilers then take it all back with first the obligatory ex-Leaf goal by Zach Hyman.
Zach Hyman cuts the Leafs lead in half
— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2025-02-02T02:19:01.580Z
And then another ex-Leaf gets one in the net. Stupid Corey Perry. I feel yucky even adding this GIF.
Corey Perry brings Edmonton within one
— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2025-02-02T02:28:57.319Z
Eight minutes left and we're now wondering if the Leafs are about to blow a 3-0 lead after this goal. We're Leaf fans, so of course we think so, and of course the Oilers score again to tie the game 4-4.
But there's a dramatic twist! It's not a good goal! And in a rare twist of fate, it's ex-Leaf Klingberg who goes offside! LOLOILERS!
And we get through finally to the end of the game. There's an empty net and Tavares doesn't shoot on it, even though he had like 100% chance to get it in, and so we now have 30 more seconds of drama as the Leafs wind down the game and Woll still makes one last dramatic save.
JOSEPH WOLL! larceny at the final buzzer!
— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2025-02-02T02:49:03.851Z
Post-Game Thoughts
These shot plots show a lot. Should the Leafs have even won this game? Here is the 5 vs. 5 only version.

Now here is the all-situations shot plot.

This really feels like the Leafs got very lucky here with the win. This kind of game is not a genuinely repeatable performance. If they didn't get out front so early from the Oilers being sloppy this game would be very different. It's a really nice "take the two points" win, but this is a strong playoff team here and it felt like a Leafs first-round game #3 where they get back in it after losing the first two. There was a lot of stupid moments on the ice out there.
Finally, Auston Matthews hit a milestone during the game.
3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/IvZlAhp5EO
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 2, 2025
The Leafs Western road trip continues with the infamous late-night games on Tuesday and Thursday against the Flames and Kraken at 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. ET.
Schedule some cat nap time now, and we'll see you then.
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