Tip of the Tower
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Toronto Maple Leafs Stun Washington Capitals, Win 4-3 in Double Overtime

By Chris Okrainetz

Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Kasperi Kapanen (28) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals in the second period in game two of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Kasperi Kapanen (28) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals in the second period in game two of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs used a total team effort to stun the Washington Capitals, 4-3, in double overtime on Saturday night and now send the series to Toronto all tied at 1.

Thoughts and Observations

  • Think about how far the Toronto Maple Leafs have came. A year ago this team was preparing for the NHL Draft after one of the worst seasons in NHL history. The organization was all-in on hopefully winning the lottery and selecting Auston Matthews with the No. 1 pick. Now they’re going toe-to-toe with the Washington Capitals, a team who comfortably won the President’s Trophy this year, and they’ve managed to earn a road split after a thrilling double overtime victory. If somebody would have told you all this a year ago, you would have understandably laughed in there face. Well, it’s a reality now.
  • The fourth line played very well in Game 2. Of course, Kasperi Kapanen‘s game-winning goal was the highlight of their night, but Brian Boyle set everything up with a beautiful Eric Lindros type no-look pass from behind the net. Kapanen scored another goal earlier in the game and he looked phenomenal throughout this contest. Matt Martin chipped in as well, finishing the night with 10 hits in 13:11 of action. Overall, the Leafs fourth line finished with six points on the night.
  • Jake Gardiner and Morgan Rielly were outstanding in this game. Both players eclipsed 40 minutes and Gardiner played 11 minutes against the Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie line. Babcock once again praised Rielly after the game and the 23-year-old defenceman is, without question, playing his best hockey of the season.
    • Frederik Andersen

    was, as Rielly called him, the backbone of the Leafs in Game 2. He was sensational throughout this contest and you could argue he stole the game from the Capitals. His calm demeanor between the pipes also seemed to provide the Leafs with a sense of security because the team knew Freddy would bail them out in most situations. If the Leafs have any chance at winning this series, they’re going to need Andersen to continue playing at an otherworldly level.

    More from Tip of the Tower

    The Leafs’ power play was awful to start, but they eventually settled in during this game and not only notched a goal, but also played with the structure we’re accustomed to seeing. I think it’s safe to say the “playoff jitters” are gone and the PP unit is comfortable.

    As expected, special teams has played a massive role in this series. Although the Leafs killed off three of the Capitals five penalties in Game 2, Washington has now scored three of their six goals on the power play.

    I’ll keep my comments about the officiating brief. The zebras were inconsistent. They blew the whistle for marginal calls and let it go for blatantly obvious calls, it was perplexing to say the least. Also, what’s up with the refs constantly throwing guys out of the circle?

    Something that continues to be an issue for the Leafs in this series is long shifts. The Capitals have done a good job keeping the puck in the Leafs zone and they eventually hem Toronto into their own end. A perfect example of this was on Backstrom’s goal. Gardiner tried to make a cute play up the boards and it failed, but it was visibly apparent him and the other four Leafs on the ice were gassed. I feel like this might be nitpicking a bit, but it’s something the Leafs have had to deal with through two games.

  • On a scale of 1-10, how nervous were you watching Ovechkin lurk from the Capitals penalty box during the Leafs power play in overtime. Of course, it had to result in him getting a near breakaway chance, but God bless Mitch Marner, who nearly skated the entire length of the ice to catch Ovie. It was a game-saving play by Marner and that kind of effort is why people have been praising his 200-foot game since he was with the London Knights.
  • You have to feel for Roman Polak. He’s played so well during the last 25 games and leaving with a gruesome injury is a tough way to end your season, especially with him entering free agency this offseason. After a rough Game 1, Martin Marincin played well as the team’s de facto fourth defenceman and it looks like he’ll have a role throughout this series.
  • Fun fact: the last time the Leafs scored a double overtime winner was during the 1960 Stanley Cup Final. The goal scorer? Frank Mahovlich. Well, you can add Kasperi Kapanen’s name to the history books after Saturday night’s goal.

    • Stat of the Night

    3:19

    The Washington Capitals have only led the Leafs for 3:19 through the first two games of this series. The best team in hockey, who some thought would demolish the Leafs, has only led Toronto for a mere three minutes and nineteen seconds.

    What’s Next

    Game 3 will take place at the Air Canada Centre on Monday night with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.

    Next: Best Toronto Maple Leafs' Playoff Hype Videos

    What did you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 double overtime win against the Washington Capitals in Game 2 on Saturday night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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