Three goals by the Anaheim Ducks in the third period, including Derek Grant’s tying goal with less than a minute left on the clock forced extra time Friday night in Toronto with the Maple Leafs.
Unfortunately for the Ducks, John Tavares struck for the game-winner with six second left in the extra session for a 5-4 Leafs win.
John Tavares had two goals including OT winner for Maple Leafs – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
“We just had to stay with it. Not a very good third period, it wasn’t ideal and something we have to clean up to get the results we want,” Tavares said. “We didn’t skate well enough and didn’t initiate the play in the third period.”
Jack Campbell made 26 saves in his debut with the Leafs to get the win.
“I was a little nervous the first period, but I was just really excited. When you care a lot, you get a little nervous,” Campbell said. “The boys played really well in front of me. Anytime you score five, that should be a win anytime. I’ll clean up my game, but I’m just really excited our team got two points.”
It took two period of hockey before the Ducks woke up in time for the loser’s point.
“I think we learned from our mistakes and that third period is what we need to base our game off of,” the Ducks’ Max Jones said. “It’s a template for us to use for a full 60 minutes. Our puck management was simple and it led to turnovers on their part. It’s the type of play we need to keep on showing.”
Adam Henrique, Nicolas Deslauriers and Jones also scored for the Ducks, who are 2-0-2 on their five-game roadie.
“A lot of positive things were said after the second period. The veterans really stood up and talked to everyone and we all picked our heads up,” Jones said. “We knew we didn’t play that well in the first and second. When we came out for the third, everyone was excited to get back into it and change the game around and that’s what we did.”
Auston Matthews picked up his 40th of the campaign in the win.
“It means a lot hitting 40 goals,” said Matthews, who scored 40 as a rookie in 2016-17. “I’ve been fortunate to play with some great players. It’s a big tribute to the guys I play with every night.”
Jason Spezza, Andreas Johnsson and Tavares also scored in regulation for the Maple Leafs.
[WATCH: All Ducks vs. Maple Leafs highlights]
Ryan Miller made 30 saves in the loss.
“It was a great third period for us and I think a big learning curve for us in terms of how we have to play to be successful,” Grant said. “We did a great job of that in the third period coming back and we can take good things away from that.” — Ducks forward Derek Grant
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