Maple Leafs Escape Calgary with 4-2 Win: Can They Keep It Together?
The Toronto Maple Leafs finally got a little breathing room on the road, surviving a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames in their penultimate game before the Olympic break. Toronto went out to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from William Nylander, Auston Matthews, and Troy Stecher. For the first part of the game, it looked like the Maple Leafs had total control.
But by the end of the second period, things got messy quickly. Calgary clawed back, exploiting small mistakes and defensive lapses. It was the kind of half-game that makes fans sweat—even when the scoreboard is still in your favour. That’s where Joseph Woll stepped up, making critical saves to keep the Flames from closing the gap further. Bobby McMann iced it with an empty-netter, and the Maple Leafs walked away with a road win they desperately needed—the first in regulation since December 4th. Not pretty, but a win in a hostile barn is a win.
Three Key Maple Leafs Takeaways
Takeaway 1: The Maple Leafs Goaltending Saved the Day
Joseph Woll was the difference-maker. Calgary had chances to make it a one-goal game, but Woll’s calm, big-save moments kept Toronto from sliding into a panic. Without him, this could’ve been a much uglier story.
Takeaway 2. The Maple Leafs Forward Chemistry Carried Its Weight.
William Nylander and Auston Matthews were again a dynamic pair, showing why controlling shifts early matters. They created offence, set the tone, and helped Toronto secure that critical early lead. With help from Troy Stecher and Matias Maccelli, the Maple Leafs held on to absorb Calgary’s bursts of momentum.
Takeaway 3. The Maple Leafs’ Small Mistakes Almost Cost Them Big.
Turnovers in the defensive zone and sloppy plays around the blue line nearly cost Toronto. The score could have been closer if not for Woll and some smart plays from the depth players. It’s a reminder: road wins are never easy, even when you start hot.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
Tomorrow’s back-to-back against the Edmonton Oilers is going to be a whole different beast. The Oilers are a top-tier team loaded with talent and speed, and the Maple Leafs can’t afford the defensive lapses that nearly cost them in Calgary. If Toronto wants to leave for the Olympic break feeling confident, they’ll need to play a cleaner, more disciplined game while still generating offence through their top lines.
A road win feels good, and perhaps it’s good that the Maple Leafs had to claw for the win. There’s no way they can carry too much confidence into tomorrow’s game or be lulled into thinking everything is solved. Edmonton will test them in ways Calgary couldn’t.