Recap: Leafs force Game 5 with thrilling comeback

Friday, August 7th, 2020. A game that will live in infamy throughout Toronto Maple Leafs history, passed down from generation to generation, a Canadian Heritage Moment if you might. 

Toronto completed what can only be explained (once you’ve picked your jaw up off the ground) as a simply stunning, marvelous, and truly wild comeback to force a winner-takes-all Game Five. 

I will now do my best to articulate the pure chaos that ensued on Friday night between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets. 

The fun started (for Toronto fans at least) with 3:34 seconds remaining in the third period. Toronto, facing a 3-0 deficit and elimination on the line, weren’t ready for an early checkout from the bubble. With Frederik Andersen on the bench for the extra skater, William Nylander broke the goose egg to start the comeback.

There was a spark.

Less than one minute later, John Tavares cashed in to put the Leafs within one goal.

There was hope. 

Zach Hyman tied the game with 23 seconds left in regulation. 

There was a real chance.

The teams headed to overtime for the second time in 24 hours, with Toronto riding exhilaration and momentum into the extra frame. 

The storybook comeback was concluded with an Auston Matthews overtime winner.

There will be another game. 

Maple Leafs players were equally at a loss-for-words postgame, for what will be an unforgettable game for all. Veteran Jason Spezza, who uncharacteristically fought midway through the game to spark his team’s comeback, said, “I’ve never been a part of anything like that.” 

On the winning side, at least. Toronto’s Game Three loss, where they also led 3-0 and went on to lose in overtime after four straight goals against, was a complete role reversal from tonight. Head Coach Sheldon Keefe commented on the wild turnaround that happened on back-to-back nights at Scotiabank Arena. “It’s been a crazy 24 hours, obviously. It was pretty remarkable to be a part of it.” 

Just as Toronto needed to quickly move on from the Game Three collapse, they can’t rest on their laurels too much heading into Sunday’s winner-takes-all. There is still work to be done and another game to be won, as Keefe alluded to with his post game comments. “We’ve got new life. And we’re really, really excited to play on Sunday.” 

Hyman, who scored one of the biggest goals of his entire career tonight, agreed with the Head Coach’s sentiment. “We got life. It’s an exhilarating win. We have to recompose ourselves and prepare for Game 5.” 

With their sights set on playing a complete 60 minutes to close out the series on Sunday, Toronto will have a full day of rest after two grueling back-to-back thrillers. For now, we can bask in the glory of a game that could end up as the turning point in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ season.

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Ailish Forfar is a writer for MapleLeafs.com, professional hockey player and member of the PWHPA. She previously played for the Markham Thunder of the CWHL and played collegiate hockey for Dartmouth. Ailish has previously written for Yahoo! Sports and The Score.