The Toronto Maple Leafs took advantage of some key errors by the Tampa Bay Lightning early to win a vital division matchup tonight, 2-0. Matthew Knies scored the game-winner in overtime to earn his second hat trick of the season. With the win, the Maple Leafs took a commanding lead in the race for the Atlantic Division.
Toronto started the game fast and furious, capitalizing on two early turnovers. Auston Matthew stole a Brandon Hagel pass in the Lightning zone, feeding Mitch Marner for a goal less than two minutes in. Moments later, Marner ended up with an errant Nikita Kucherov pass, which resulted in Matthew Knies scoring a goal.
The Maple Leafs continued to press the Lightning throughout the opening period. Bolts goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy had several impressive saves that kept the game from getting out of reach early.
Despite the sluggish start, the Bolts would respond later in the period. Nick Perbix broke through on Leafs’ netminder Anthony Stolarz on a wrist shot from the top of the circle to cut the lead in half.
Toronto Makes A Statement
The Lightning were able to collect themselves and rebound early in the third period. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored 50 seconds into the period and tied the game at two.
Unfortunately, Toronto answered back with Knies’s second goal of the game just over a minute later. The goal came on a double-minor power play opportunity when Emil Lilleberg high-sticked John Tavares.
Throw your hands up in the air 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Hpps40IeGh
— x – Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 10, 2025
The middle part of the period saw even play going back-and-forth on the ice until Victor Hedman tied the game again on a power-play goal. However, Toronto would not be denied.
After Kucherov and Braydon Point missed opportunities to win the game in overtime for Tampa Bay, Knies scored his third goal to give Toronto the victory.
The win gave Toronto a season sweep over Tampa Bay to widen their Atlantic Division lead. The Maple Leafs hold a three-point lead and the tiebreaker over the Lightning, with four games left for each team.
‘Embarrassing’ Start Nullifies Gains
Lightning coach Jon Cooper put it simply when asked about the team’s performance in the first moments of the game:
“It was an embarrassing first three-and-half minutes.”
The Lightning were outmatched during the first period, yet regained their composure to press Toronto for the remainder of the game.
“For 57 minutes, we leaned on them, and they’re in first place. They’re one of the best teams in the league,” Cooper said. “As that game kept going, we did a lot of good things.”
“When you dig yourself a hole, we could come back and salvage a point. It’s tough to do that against good teams, so give the guys credit.”
Three Stars of the Game
1. Matthew Knies, Toronto. Scores the game-winner and picks up the hat trick in the process.
2. Mike Marner, Toronto. He had one goal and two assists for three points.
3. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay. A goal and an assist tonight.
Up Next
The Lightning home stand continues Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Game time at Amalie Arena is 7 pm.
Follow The Scrum Sports for more Lightning coverage as the NHL Playoffs approach.
