Leafs Grind Out Gutsy OT Win, Flames’ Andersson Still in Trade Crosshairs
It looked like Rasmus Andersson was on his way out of Calgary-until he wasn’t. The Flames defenseman was expected by many around the league to be moved imminently, but instead, he suited up and played last night. That’s a tough spot for any player to be in-mentally preparing for a new team one minute, then lacing up for the same squad the next.
Still, the trade buzz hasn’t died down. Andersson remains very much in play, with four teams reportedly in the mix, including the Boston Bruins and Vegas Golden Knights.
Calgary’s front office continues to work the phones, and with the Olympic roster freeze just two and a half weeks away, the clock is ticking. Expect movement-maybe a lot of it-as teams jostle for playoff positioning or reset for the future.
Meanwhile, in Toronto, the Maple Leafs pulled off a gritty 4-3 overtime win that was equal parts chaotic and cathartic.
Leafs Survive the Schedule and the Jets
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a pretty win for Toronto. The Leafs were outplayed for long stretches, especially at five-on-five, where puck possession was hard to come by and offensive zone time was fleeting.
But sometimes, it’s not about dominating-it’s about finding a way. And that’s exactly what the Leafs did.
Auston Matthews got things going with a response goal not long after the Jets opened the scoring. That’s what elite players do-they halt momentum swings before they snowball. But Winnipeg kept pressing, eventually building a 3-1 lead.
Then came the pushback.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who’s quietly been effective in his role, sniped one through traffic to cut the deficit. A clean sauce pass, a screen in front, and a quick release-textbook execution.
Moments later, Bobby McMann tied it up off a faceoff, notching his 15th of the season and the 50th point of his career. A milestone moment, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Jets thought they had the go-ahead goal late, and so did most of the building. But for the second time in the game, the puck never fully crossed the line. Close, but no goal.
Overtime Belongs to Domi
Overtime was where things got interesting-and where head coach Craig Berube made some bold decisions. He leaned heavily on Matias Maccelli, who had been buzzing all night, and gave Max Domi extended minutes despite Domi’s well-known struggles in three-on-three situations. This time, though, the gamble paid off.
Domi buried the OT winner in his 200th game as a Leaf, a moment that clearly meant a lot to him and the team. The celebration said it all-fists pumping, teammates mobbing him, and Berube visibly fired up behind the bench. After a tough OT loss in their previous outing, this one felt like redemption.
Looking Ahead
Toronto’s schedule isn’t doing them any favors. They’ve got Minnesota at home tomorrow, Detroit on Wednesday, then Vegas on Friday, followed by a Sunday afternoon clash with Colorado.
After that, it’s a western road trip with games every other day leading into the break. Fatigue is going to be a real factor, and managing energy-especially for the top players-is going to be critical.
The Leafs are currently playing at a .583 points pace. To hit the 98-point mark, they’ll need to crank that up to .619 the rest of the way. That’s doable, but it won’t be easy-not with the grind ahead.
Still, wins like this one matter. They build belief.
They reinforce identity. And in a long season, those moments can be the difference between a wild card spot and watching from home.
As for Rasmus Andersson, keep your eyes on Calgary. The trade winds are still blowing, and the next few weeks could get very interesting.