The Maple Leafs scored twice with 20 seconds left in the third period to trail the Stars 5-4

TORONTO — Yevgeny Dadonov scored a silky-smooth penalty kick to put the Dallas Stars ahead with nine minutes left in regulation.

Night was going one of two ways from there to the Maple Leafs.

Despite Toronto taking the lead in the third period, it could have been predictable. Or keep pushing, not clicking, for a winner.

The team's three stars and its captain re-watched his attacking moves and made sure the latter played.

Mitch Marner and William Nylander scored 20 seconds apart on Dadonov's equalizer in Toronto's 5-4 win over Dallas on Wednesday.

Marner scored his 22nd goal of the season on Auston Matthews and 32 seconds into the penalty shootout at 8:55 to snap a 3-3 tie.

“We just wanted to get back to work,” Marner said. “Our bench is doing a good job at the moment, realizing there's another opportunity to go out there and do something.

“But not coercion. It was one of those moments.”

With Scotiabank Arena still buzzing, Nylander took a pass from John Tavares and fired home his second of the night and 25 of the campaign 20 seconds later.

“Great response from Matty and Mitchie,” Nylander said. “We were able to track it down.”

Matthews, who ranks 41st in the NHL, and Tavares scored a goal and added two assists apiece for Toronto (26-15-8). Neylander had another three-point night with an assist.

“Every game has its own challenges,” Matthews said. “There will be various dynamic fluctuations. We try to stay focused and in the moment.”

Ilya Samsonov made 27 saves for the Leafs, including three on the power play, in Monday's 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders, who were coming off the All-Star break.

Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston scored the other goals for Dallas (31-14-6). Scott Wedgewood made 26 saves with the Stars resting Jake Oettinger in a 2-1 win Tuesday in Buffalo.

Dadonov scored his 12th and second free throw of the night after a Bears handoff by Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano.

“We made a mistake,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We have played a great period so far. Just get on with it. Stay with him.”

Johnston scored his 15th goal with 1:25 left in the period to make it 5-4 after Nylander missed an empty-netter in search of his second NHL hat trick — and first since February 2017 — but Toronto held on.

Matthews, Marner, Nylander and quarterback Morgan Rielly were front and center last week as the city was home to the league's All-Star festivities.

The Leafs led the team to victory in the four-team, 3-on-3 mini-tournament, with Matthews named MVP.

“It's not too hard,” the shooter said when asked about the challenge of getting back into the regular season. “You're so grateful to be able to get back to what you're used to.”

The Leafs, who beat the Stars 4-1 in Dallas on Oct. 26, opened the scoring at 6:34 of the first when Nylander blew a one-timer after Radek Faska hit the far post just over two minutes later.

Dallas, which fell to 7-2-1 in its last 10 games, added a second power play opportunity when Benn scored his ninth goal at 14:52.

Dadonov put the guests ahead with 2:35.

Johnston then went close to making it 3-1, but Samsonov saved with a left post for the second time of the period.

Tavares even got the Leafs back on the power play with 3:40 to go, his 15th of the game, third in as many games after going a career-worst nine scoreless contests.

Matthews nearly scored a short-handed goal late in the period, but ended up putting the hosts up 3-2 on another power play at 12:37 before third-period drama when his attempted plate pass deflected off Stars defenseman Esa Lindell.

“What a response,” Keefe said of the wild three-goal, 52-second stretch. “Auston runs things on the outside and Mitch is a big target.

“Then (Tavares) and that line will continue it.”

BLOODY MCABI

Toronto defender Jake McCabe was bloodied for the second time by Mason Marchment, who went unpunished but missed no action.

“I see a vulnerable player being targeted,” Keefe said. “I think that's the kind of hitting they don't want to see in the game. The guy is bleeding everywhere and needs stitches. I'm sure they'll look into it.”

NEXT

Toronto visits Ottawa on Saturday and Dallas is at Montreal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 7, 2024.

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Joshua Clipperton, Canadian Press