TORONTO — In a thrilling match on Thursday evening, William Nylander netted his second goal of the night just 1 minute and 10 seconds into overtime, securing a dramatic 4-3 win for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the New Jersey Devils.

This game marked the return of New Jersey’s head coach Sheldon Keefe to Scotiabank Arena as a visitor for the first time since his dismissal from the Maple Leafs in the spring.

Nylander, who contributed significantly to Toronto’s success, also recorded an assist in addition to his two goals. Auston Matthews matched his teammate’s performance with two goals of his own, while goaltender Joseph Woll made 21 saves to keep the game within reach. Mitch Marner and Jake McCabe each provided two assists, reinforcing their roles in the team’s offensive strategy.

On the opposing side, Nico Hischier stood out for the Devils by scoring two goals during power plays. Jack Hughes also made his mark by contributing one goal and two assists, while goalie Jacob Markstrom was busy in the net, racking up an impressive 37 saves.

Some notable observations from the game include that the Devils have struggled recently, claiming only one regulation win in their last nine games. For the Maple Leafs, McCabe made a valuable return to the lineup after healing from an upper-body injury, having missed four games prior. Marner’s assist on Matthews’ second goal additionally celebrated a milestone, as it marked his 700th career point.

A pivotal moment in the match occurred when Toronto found themselves trailing 3-2 during the third period. Matthews stepped up to equalize the score with a high shot that passed just above Markstrom’s right shoulder, setting the stage for Nylander’s overtime heroics.

Looking ahead, both teams will be back in action on Saturday night. The Devils are set to take on the Philadelphia Flyers, while the Maple Leafs will face off against the Montreal Canadiens.