The Toronto Maple Leafs delivered a much-needed holiday gift to their fans on Tuesday night, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 at Scotiabank Arena. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and lifted the team out of the Eastern Conference basement just before the NHL's Christmas break.
Domi's Dazzling Decider and Nylander's Return to Form
The game's turning point came from forward Max Domi, who scored his prettiest goal of the 2025-26 season at 9:10 of the third period. Picking up speed in his own end, Domi raced through the neutral zone, deked past Penguins defenceman Brett Kulak, and beat goalie Stuart Skinner with a low shot for what stood as the game-winning goal. It was just his fourth of the campaign.
Equally crucial was the performance of William Nylander, who broke an 11-game goalless skid dating back to November 26. Nylander opened the scoring with a beautiful solo effort in the first period, finishing on a backhand, and later added an empty-net goal and two assists for a three-point night.
A Win with "Warts" but Vital for Morale
The win, which moved the Leafs one point ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, was not without its flaws. Head coach Sheldon Keefe acknowledged the team's play still had "warts," a sentiment echoed by many observers. The victory came just one day after the club fired assistant coach Marc Savard, a move directly linked to the team's struggling power play.
Toronto built a 3-1 lead in the second period on goals from Nylander, Matias Maccelli, and Steven Lorentz. However, the Penguins clawed back, with Anthony Mantha tying the game early in the third period, setting the stage for Domi's heroics. Bobby McMann and Nylander would later seal the deal into an empty net.
Key Takeaways as Leafs Head into Break
The game also marked the return of defenceman Chris Tanev, who played his first game since suffering an upper-body injury on November 1. While Tanev showed some expected rust, his presence was a positive step for the blue line. Goaltender Joseph Woll made 28 saves for the win.
For a team mired in negativity and sitting at the bottom of the conference, the two points were invaluable. The 6-3 final score provides a measure of confidence as the team disperses for the three-day holiday, offering a foundation to build upon when play resumes.
