> ## 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: Toronto won it - don't ask how - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/recap-leafs-won-somehow-carolina/ - Published: 2025-02-23T02:52:31.000Z - Updated: 2025-02-23T02:54:14.000Z - Description: Toronto tried to re-enact the Canada-Finland game. - Author: Cathy Squires - Tags: Game Coverage ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/02/GkbgYSvWMAA3zST-1-.jpg) ### First Period You know what to expect when the Leafs play Carolina. But you don't always get it. The Leafs depth came to play offence and the whole team came to control the puck and not let Carolina do their usual thing. First the milestone: > ALEX STEEVES 🚨 FIRST NHL GOAL! [pic.twitter.com/zSsm33PMHQ](https://t.co/zSsm33PMHQ?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893456018392105031?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Steeves has arrived [pic.twitter.com/hEn09srN32](https://t.co/hEn09srN32?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893456168611160477?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Then the funny one: > they don't ask how [pic.twitter.com/HvddIW3Ymf](https://t.co/HvddIW3Ymf?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893456799761563808?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) And then the fourth line: > Lorentz-Kampf-Steeves is looking good so far [pic.twitter.com/Djb2rErPYR](https://t.co/Djb2rErPYR?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893458232774947301?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Anthony Stolarz did the occasional thing: > Stolarz gets a blocker on Kotkaniemi's shot [pic.twitter.com/PLL0oJVMBL](https://t.co/PLL0oJVMBL?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893462100577517640?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) And then William Nylander decided he'd like a goal: > patience patience patience [pic.twitter.com/DNgF3WhReL](https://t.co/DNgF3WhReL?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893463435540611540?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) And to prove the Leafs are still the Leafs, Conor Timmins took a penalty with about a minute left: > Timmins is called for holding [pic.twitter.com/75Dzn6dl0C](https://t.co/75Dzn6dl0C?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893464824014590196?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) After one it was 4-0\. And would you look at those shot locations. Funny how that's a good way to get goals. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/02/20242025-20900-all.png) ### Second Period No goals in this segment of the game as the Leafs tried to keep it dull. Holmberg back doing his usual stuff: > Holmberg to the rescue [pic.twitter.com/0PKoT77KmZ](https://t.co/0PKoT77KmZ?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893475408042979701?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Not a penalty, but oh, well: > hooking call on Kampf [pic.twitter.com/m97ERbIQSz](https://t.co/m97ERbIQSz?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893477134984704200?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Marner cuts the pass off and gets a shorthanded chance [pic.twitter.com/XLZLzf09Zl](https://t.co/XLZLzf09Zl?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893477835018215552?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Carolina had the puck a lot more in this period, laying down a team-typical 64% Corsi – score adjusted. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/02/20242025-20900-all--1-.png) But what they added to the shotplot wasn't very dangerous. Their Expected Goals % was 53\. ### Third Period The first part of the third was more of the same, with Carolina in control of the puck most of the time. The refs must have been asleep because they missed this head shot: > no call [pic.twitter.com/129h9T2Kn5](https://t.co/129h9T2Kn5?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893484347342119390?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) They can always levy one of their useless fines on Svechnikov. Almost another: > Marner to Matthews to Knies [pic.twitter.com/XLcdWWk5XO](https://t.co/XLcdWWk5XO?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893488757896106211?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) And then Shayne Gostisbehere broke the shutout: > Shayne Gostisbehere puts Carolina on the board [pic.twitter.com/zc5eqEiFHz](https://t.co/zc5eqEiFHz?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893489072733049076?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Carolina pulled Kochetkov during a four-on-four with over six minutes left. Toronto got stuck in their own end, but Stolarz had it covered at first. Carolina's gamble paid off: > Andrei Svechnikov scores off Jake McCabe [pic.twitter.com/MS9lSsg9Y8](https://t.co/MS9lSsg9Y8?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893491184359682117?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Score was 4-3 Toronto. Leafs with 6 Corsi For to Carolina's 26 late in the period. The Carolina goalie came out again, putting Stolarz on the hot seat to shut it down during long periods of man-advantage. Auston Matthews ended it with an ENG. > Auston Matthews is now tied for second all-time in Leafs goals [pic.twitter.com/cYqUTy3IQN](https://t.co/cYqUTy3IQN?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893493290743263236?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Nylander gotsthe puck and set up Holmberg for his second goal. > Pontus Holmberg doubles up 🚨🚨 > > great effort from Nylander [pic.twitter.com/PHaSd6n4MF](https://t.co/PHaSd6n4MF?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [February 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1893494153910055086?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Final score was 6-3 Leafs. Stolarz was great, the final two goals against were not on him. The Leafs were... good for one period is the glass half full version.