William Nylander's hat trick carries Maple Leafs past Flames

Field Level Media|published: Wed 5th February, 24:32 2025

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at Calgary Flames

Feb 4, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) celebrates his goal (goal was later disallowed) with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

William Nylander netted his second career hat trick and Matthew Knies collected one goal and one assist as the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs rode a four-goal second period to a 6-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.

John Tavares and Bobby McMann also scored for the Maple Leafs, who beat both Alberta teams to kick off a four-game road trip. Auston Matthews posted three assists in his 600th game and goaltender Joseph Woll made 23 saves.

Matt Coronato, Yegor Sharangovich and Joel Farabee replied for the Flames, who have lost two of three games. Goalie Dustin Wolf stopped 24 shots, while MacKenzie Weegar, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri all collected two assists.

McMann broke a 2-2 tie at 12:28 of the middle frame, coming when he elected to shoot during a two-on-one rush for his second goal in as many outings.

Nylander's second of the clash made it a two-goal edge six minutes later, coming when he buried a shot while on a three-on-one rush.

Knies extended the lead to 5-2 at 5:44 of the third period by pouncing on a loose puck after Matthews was denied on a breakaway.

Farabee netted his first since being traded to the Flames 18 seconds later to give the hosts hopes of a comeback, but Nylander's empty-net goal, his fifth in a three-game stretch, sealed the victory and completed his hat trick, which came eight years after his first three-goal game on Feb. 4, 2017 at Boston.

Both teams claimed and surrendered leads before the game's midway point. After both clubs had goals overturned, Coronato opened the scoring at 14:16 when he converted his own rebound chance during a five-on-three power play.

Nylander evened the score with a power-play goal of his own at 2:36 of the second period with a one-timer from the left face-off dot. Tavares made it a 2-1 game 41 seconds later by lifting a backhand shot from the low slot.

However, Sharangovich tied the score with another five-on-three power-play goal at 5:58 of the period by deflecting a point shot.

--Field Level Media

Latest