Morgan Rielly delivered a thrilling finish, scoring 2:25 into overtime to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night. The win marks Toronto’s fourth consecutive triumph, keeping them atop the Atlantic Division and in hot pursuit of the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals.
Rielly Breaks the Drought
Rielly’s game-winning goal, his fifth of the season and first in two months, came off a perfect feed from Auston Matthews. The overtime winner capped a resilient performance from the Maple Leafs, who battled through a tight contest and an early injury setback.
“It felt good to help the team tonight,” Rielly said. “We’re finding ways to win, and that’s the most important thing.”
Balanced Scoring Leads the Way
- Matthew Knies opened the scoring for Toronto, continuing his strong rookie campaign.
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson added his second goal in four games, demonstrating his value as a versatile addition to the blue line.
Flyers Hang Tough but Fall Short
Philadelphia got goals from Tyson Foerster and Scott Laughton, staying competitive throughout despite their defensive struggles on the road. Goaltender Ivan Fedotov made 22 saves but couldn’t withstand Toronto’s pressure in overtime.
“We’re competing hard, but we need to clean up a few areas defensively,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said.
Key Moments and Stats
- Jake McCabe’s Injury: The Maple Leafs defenseman left the game in the first period after a fight with Garnet Hathaway. McCabe, who objected to Hathaway’s collision with goaltender Dennis Hildeby, fell awkwardly during the scuffle and did not return. Toronto will evaluate his upper-body injury ahead of Tuesday’s rematch.
- Big Men in Net: Both teams featured towering goaltenders—Toronto’s 6-foot-7 Dennis Hildeby and Philadelphia’s 6-foot-7 Ivan Fedotov. The duo delivered a stellar first period, combining for 27 saves as the Flyers outshot the Maple Leafs 14-13.
- Home Ice Advantage: Toronto’s 17-7-0 record at Scotiabank Arena ties them with the Vegas Golden Knights for the most home wins in the league this season.
What’s Next
The Maple Leafs and Flyers will face off again on Tuesday in Philadelphia, where Toronto will aim to extend their winning streak to five games. With Rielly finding his stride and the team firing on all cylinders, Toronto looks poised to keep the momentum rolling.