> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Recap: Leafs win a close game against the Avs - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/recap-leafs-avs-close-game/ - Published: 2025-03-20T01:40:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-03-20T01:40:00.000Z - Description: Auston Matthews + Joe Woll = a win. - Author: Cathy Squires - Tags: Game Coverage ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/03/GmcDGL8XoAAcgzo-1-.jpg) ### First Period This was not a very good period, but no one scored a goal, so we can forget it ever happened. The Avalanche defended well, the Leafs almost never shot the puck, even in extended zone time, and the final 38 seconds were a Leafs power play where there was no power and almost no play. Omar found some highlights, bless him. > Marner playing soccer on the ice again [pic.twitter.com/bEb79vhskq](https://t.co/bEb79vhskq?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 19, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902499133509832949?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > skate save from Woll [pic.twitter.com/idfKkisfPA](https://t.co/idfKkisfPA?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 19, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902499305606311994?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Knies is going for high sticking > > Lehkonen is going for elbowing [pic.twitter.com/wvaSVLDbN3](https://t.co/wvaSVLDbN3?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 19, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902500328399904769?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The only good Leafs chance: > McCabe caught Toews and Makar off-guard there > > Blackwood makes the save [pic.twitter.com/UGZeFfXx19](https://t.co/UGZeFfXx19?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 19, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902501996243886560?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Nylander takes off > > good stick from Malinski to stop the toe drag [pic.twitter.com/TS9p1Nhs0Q](https://t.co/TS9p1Nhs0Q?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 19, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902505948817580057?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) After one it was zero-all. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/03/20242025-21087-5v5.png) Toronto concentrated their tiny amount of shots very well. ### Second Period The Leafs played much better in the second, as they figured out shooting the puck would be a good idea. Auston Matthews opened the scoring on the partial power play: > AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨 > > Threw the puck on net and it went in off Toews [pic.twitter.com/DRNn5KWZ6K](https://t.co/DRNn5KWZ6K?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902512286553518226?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Unfortunately, Colorado got it right back on their power play. > Carlo is called for tripping someone after being tripped himself [pic.twitter.com/6JAW9YVuTi](https://t.co/6JAW9YVuTi?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902513034196631847?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Valeri Nichushkin ties it on the power play [pic.twitter.com/SwbBLHrGux](https://t.co/SwbBLHrGux?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902513556572066102?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Ping. > good chance for Matthews' second but he hits the bar [pic.twitter.com/A33xbJZafY](https://t.co/A33xbJZafY?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902514467977548029?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Ping. > McCabe hits the post [pic.twitter.com/03DQJRke2d](https://t.co/03DQJRke2d?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902516296522104981?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Woll has been good: > chaos in front of Woll [pic.twitter.com/FdZzjSNFeq](https://t.co/FdZzjSNFeq?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902517783008624966?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > both Tavares and Kelly are getting called [pic.twitter.com/WGrcQMIF9S](https://t.co/WGrcQMIF9S?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902519522566836470?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Woll stops MacKinnon point-blank [pic.twitter.com/bidZEd8LFx](https://t.co/bidZEd8LFx?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902521459504783565?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The Leafs got hemmed in a little at the end of the period, and Marner had to cope without a stick. > no stick, no problem [pic.twitter.com/f4F7rkqaN7](https://t.co/f4F7rkqaN7?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902521695102960077?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) After two it was one-all. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/03/20242025-21087-5v5--1-.png) The Leafs are still letting the Avalanche have two-thirds of the shots. ### Third Period This seemed so bizarre, it had to be the weirdest thing that would happen all game. > lol no one knew where the puck was [pic.twitter.com/JVLcVso8Xq](https://t.co/JVLcVso8Xq?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902526955607433705?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Uh, nope. What if I told you Steven Lorentz and Simon Benoit teamed up for a shorty? > STEVEN LORENTZ 🚨 > > Shorthanded goal! Oh my! [pic.twitter.com/CeqxbmVYU1](https://t.co/CeqxbmVYU1?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902527641065820505?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > top cheese for Stevey [pic.twitter.com/MnfoZl2Ax4](https://t.co/MnfoZl2Ax4?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902529993495715979?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Player of the game right here: > Woll flashes leather [pic.twitter.com/yNsKytFV9E](https://t.co/yNsKytFV9E?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902529425209463256?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Although Matthews was close. His line had a 52% Corsi when the team was at 35%, and his line led in Corsi For by a long shot. Domination from the top line. > Matthews creates a good chance for Knies off some defensive plays but he shoots high [pic.twitter.com/QeofuLiCcb](https://t.co/QeofuLiCcb?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1902531028180230290?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) A good long run of offence from the Leafs with five minutes to go. And again with two minutes to go. The Tavares line was on the job. Leafs missed the ENG three times in a row. Jake McCabe held the puck in the corner for most of the final shift. He was good too. Final score was 2-1 Leafs. The Leafs did not win the Corsi War, but they defended well when they had to and won the matchup against one of the toughest top lines in the league. They came on very strong with the one-goal lead. Next game is tomorrow against the Rangers in New York, see you then.