The Toronto Maple Leafs were involved in a back-and-forth hockey-style slugfest on Sunday night, so it's a good thing they landed one of the top scorers in the league this past summer. John Tavares, playing his first season with his hometown team, recorded his first hat trick of the season in the Maple Leafs' 7-6 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Morgan Rielly had the game-winning goal just 19 seconds in to the extra period, as the Leafs successfully spoiled the Blackhawks' home opener and handed them their first loss of the season.
Auston Matthews added two goals and two assists in what was the first of a four-game road trip for the Leafs. They will visit Dallas, Detroit, and the defending Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals later this week. They were coming off their first loss of the season, 5-3 at the hands of the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
Tavares signed a $77 million contract with the Maple Leafs in July and recorded his ninth-career hat trick, the other eight of which came with the New York Islanders. That helped stop the Blackhawks record their first 3-0 start since the 2012-2013 season, as they opened up the season with wins over the Senators and St. Louis Blues.
Garret Sparks got the start for the Maple Leafs in his hometown of Chicago and made 25 saves in his first NHL game since 2016. The 25-year-old said of the opportunity to face his childhood favorite team "there's nothing cooler than that." His childhood favorite team will look to get back on track after a few days off, as they will visit the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
Auston Matthews added two goals and two assists in what was the first of a four-game road trip for the Leafs. They will visit Dallas, Detroit, and the defending Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals later this week. They were coming off their first loss of the season, 5-3 at the hands of the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
Tavares signed a $77 million contract with the Maple Leafs in July and recorded his ninth-career hat trick, the other eight of which came with the New York Islanders. That helped stop the Blackhawks record their first 3-0 start since the 2012-2013 season, as they opened up the season with wins over the Senators and St. Louis Blues.
Garret Sparks got the start for the Maple Leafs in his hometown of Chicago and made 25 saves in his first NHL game since 2016. The 25-year-old said of the opportunity to face his childhood favorite team "there's nothing cooler than that." His childhood favorite team will look to get back on track after a few days off, as they will visit the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
