Knee Jerk Reaction: The Leafs won and Philippe Myers scored a highlight reel goal

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The Toronto Maple Leafs‘ final game of the season against the Detroit Red Wings somehow had everything despite meaning nothing. And by everything, I mean a Philippe Myers highlight reel goal, a Chris Tanev buzzer-beater to tie it with 1.8 seconds left in the game, and a Scott Laughton overtime goal.

Since this game statistically meant nothing in terms of the standings, let’s focus on the fun stuff exclusively. After a complete snoozefest of a first frame, and a slow middle frame that gave serious ‘last game of the season, don’t get hurt’ vibes, the Leafs put together a cinematic third period. And it all started with Myers channeling his inner Cale Makar to bring the Leafs within one.

Yes, that’s the same Philippe Myers who only had one goal all season heading into tonight’s game, the same Myers who only has a career high of four goals, and the same Myers who has found himself on the bench in favour of Simon Benoit down the stretch. Not only was he one of the most unlikely candidates to score a goal, let alone in filthy fashion, but his teammates loved it arguably more than he did.

The rest of the third period was pretty boring, with the Red Wings playing some commendable shutdown hockey and the Leafs letting their bottom-six guys take the majority of the shifts down the stretch. That is, until they pulled the goalie in the final minute and Chris Tanev of all people decided to extend their season by five minutes, scoring the equalizer with 1.8 seconds left.

The Leafs still made it clear in the extra frame that their sights were set on the postseason, having Pontus Holmberg take the opening draw with Matthew Knies, who was knocking on the door of his first 30-goal season in the NHL. Eventually, it was Knies, Scott Laughton, and Dakota Mermis on the ice during 3-on-3, and who needed the overtime winner and a confidence boost going into the playoffs more than Laughton?

It felt like a game that was going to be a wash with very little to talk about, but the Leafs ultimately ended the season on a high note, carrying a five-game winning streak while 13-2-1 in their last 16 games. It’s the exact type of momentum they’ll need going into the dance on Sunday night, kicking off the new era Battle of Ontario with the Ottawa Senators.

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