The Toronto Maple Leafs authored one of the young season's most dramatic comebacks on Tuesday night, erasing a 3-0 deficit to beat the Nashville Predators 5-4 in overtime at Scotiabank Arena. Auston Matthews provided the winner, beating the Nashville goaltender with 14 seconds remaining in the extra period, and finished the night with a goal and three assists.
The night belonged just as much to Gavin McKenna. The No. 1 overall draft pick scored his first career NHL goal and added his first NHL assist, announcing his arrival in the league with a performance that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. The Leafs needed every bit of it after sleepwalking through the opening frame.
Toronto's comeback is an early statement of intent from a team with championship expectations. Falling behind by three at home and finding a way to two points anyway is the kind of result that builds the belief coaches spend months trying to manufacture. The win moves Toronto up the Atlantic Division standings as the season settles into its October rhythm.
For Nashville, the loss stings: a three-goal road lead is supposed to be a win 99 nights out of 100. The Predators will have to flush this one quickly with a crowded early-season schedule offering no time to dwell on what slipped away.
