Maple Leafs Rally in Final 10 Minutes to Beat Blackhawks 3-2

The Toronto Maple Leafs produced a breathtaking turnaround on Tuesday, snatching a 3-2 victory from the Chicago Blackhawks in the final 10 minutes of the game. After falling behind 2-0 following the first two periods, the Leafs delivered an electrifying late surge, with defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Auston Matthews, and Dakota Joshua scoring in rapid succession to completely shift the momentum.

The Maple Leafs started the game sluggishly, drawing boos from the home crowd at Scotiabank Arena. The team’s lack of intensity early on frustrated fans, but the late rally turned frustration into excitement. Joshua acknowledged the crowd’s reaction, stating, “Our performance deserved the reaction, but it felt great to deliver a win for them in the end.” His goal, assisted by quick rebounds and sharp positioning, proved decisive in completing the comeback.

Ekman-Larsson broke the deadlock with a timely goal just under 10 minutes left, giving Toronto the spark they desperately needed. Matthews followed shortly after, scoring a power-play goal in the third period that sent the arena into a frenzy and silenced the boos. Joshua sealed the win with a precise finish eight seconds later, highlighting Toronto’s ability to capitalize when it mattered most.

Head coach Craig Berube was seen delivering a stern talking-to during the game, particularly after mistakes that led to Chicago’s early goals, including a short-handed strike and a faceoff goal. Berube emphasized that such lapses were avoidable and needed immediate correction. “We were giving up simple goals, and that’s what frustrated me,” he said.

Goalie Joseph Woll was instrumental in keeping Toronto in the game, making 23 crucial saves to preserve the late comeback. His performance prevented the Leafs from extending their losing streak to three games and marked only the team’s second win this season after trailing through two periods.

Despite the shaky start, Toronto’s late-game resilience showcased their potential when urgency and focus align. Joshua pointed out that the team must minimize turnovers and maintain consistency moving forward to remain competitive in the Atlantic Division.

Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs will embark on a three-game road trip, visiting Washington, Nashville, and Dallas. If the team can carry forward the intensity shown in the final 10 minutes against Chicago, the road trip could mark a turning point in their season.