Maple Leafs score five in third period to thrash Red Wings, 7-4

In Detroit, the Toronto Maple Leafs trailed by two goals twice in the middle frame on Saturday. The Red Wings were unable to hold either lead as the Leafs struck for five unanswered goals in the third period enroute to a 7-4 win.

Michael Bunting scored two of three goals in the third period.

“We knew if we could get the first goal of the third period, we’d have a good chance to win the game,” Bunting said. “We were getting chances, and fortunately they started going in in the third period.”

His two goals tied the game, 4-4, and Rasmus Sandin put the Maple Leafs ahead to stay at 5-4.

Petr Mrazek made 31 saves in the Toronto win.

“We got the puck down low and John [Tavares] made a terrific (cross-ice) pass,” Sandin said. “I’ve had a couple similar situations this year and missed them, so I’m very happy this one went in.”

Toronto improved to 27-10-3.

“That wasn’t a good game for us, but it was a good win for us,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We thought we could score a couple goals in the third period and get back into the game, but we had to stop the bleeding defensively.”

Dylan Larkin hit for a pair of goals for the Red Wings.

“They had a heck of a third period and we didn’t,” Larkin said. “We sat back and let them have their way with us. We have to be able to win games when it is 4-2 in the third period.”

Tyler Bertuzzi and Vladislav Namestnikov added single markers for the Red Wings.

Detroit fell to 19-20-6.

“They had all the momentum in the third period, and we didn’t do enough to make them defend,” Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill said. “They are one of the best [offensive] zone teams in the League and we are one of the worst [defensive] zone teams, and that’s exactly how it played out.

“We don’t want to be a team that plays close with good teams. We want to beat good teams.”

Pierre Engvall also had a goal for the Maple Leafs.

Mitchell Marner and John Tavares added empty net goals for the 7-4 final.