The Leafs were in Columbus last night with both Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies returning back in the lineup. What started to look like another moribund effort suddenly turned in the third period and ultimately the game was won by one William Nylander.

If his chest had been a cannon, he would have shot his heart upon it, and that's exactly what Willy did to get a much needed win and revenge for the Leafs last night. In the process he became the all-time leader in OT goals in Maple Leafs history, passing Auston Matthews and Mats Sundin with 15.

But we can't forget the work done by our wonderful cowboy to tie up the game to make that overtime possible.

Here's the post-game presser.

Marlies News

The Toronto Marlies did not have the fortune the Leafs did last night, losing 5-1 to the Providence Bruins. This comes after they snapped a four game losing streak on the weekend, winning two in a row against the Iowa Wild. Artur Akhtyamov was in net for both those wins and in net again for this loss. The Bruins have two of the top goalies in the Eastern Conference and it was Michael DiPietro that shut them down on Wednesday, stopping almost everything the Marlies threw at him.

I knew it was over when I saw this goal.

John Gruden also talked about the team's power play which couldn't convert to any goals last night and said it needs a reset to making simple, quick decisions, and to stop passing it around and shoot the puck more.

The Marlies are flying to North Carolina to play the Charlotte Checkers in back-to-back games this weekend. They'll be back at the Coliseum on December 6 and 7 to play the Grand Rapids Griffins, who have the best record in the league right now with 14 wins in 16 games. That's going to be a tough challenge.

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We'll get a reminder winter is coming soon today in the GTA, expect snowy conditions. Enjoy Thanksgiving Day if you are one of those bizarre people who don't realise it's supposed to be on a Monday in October.

There's no NHL games today, but there's a full slate of games tomorrow, including the Leafs playing a 5:00 p.m. matinee game against the Capitals.

From The Branches