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Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

2 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 1-0 Overtime Win Over the Canadiens

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Spencer Lazary | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 11:21 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs faced off against the Montreal Canadiens in yet another edition of one of the game’s greatest rivalries. The Maple Leafs were looking to move one step closer to locking up the top seed in their division. However, this game wasn’t just a must-win for Toronto. The Canadiens were hoping to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win in regulation. It would have officially clinched their playoff berth.

The Maple Leafs came out on top of a very tight-checking, fast-paced game which remained tied 0-0 until overtime. That’s when Anthony Stolarz stood tall and saved the game for Mitch Marner to seal it and give the Maple Leafs the win. With the win, in a very unique game, there were a few takeaways from the game, so let’s dive into them.

5-Man Defence Looked Good

It hasn’t been very often that teams have to play 13-5—typically it is 11-7 to give the forwards a bit more ice time. Unfortunately, Oliver Ekman-Larsson was hurt in their last game and wasn’t able to play last night and with the Maple Leafs unable to call up an extra defenseman, they had to play 13-5. Interestingly enough, they looked very good. Brandon Carlo and Morgan Rielly seemed to be out there every other shift with a new partner, including Marner who took a few shifts on the blue line. It was nice to see them play so well with only five players, especially in a game that was so tight-checking but also extremely fast-paced at times.

The ice times for the five defencemen were all over 20 minutes, but Rielly led the way with 25:43. This was a big game for him who has been struggling this season. He looked very relaxed and comfortable with the extra ice time. He joined the rush when needed but also used his stick and body to break up plays. Leafs Nation is used to that from Carlo and Chris Tanev, but seeing Rielly step up his game as we inch closer to the playoffs is exactly what the team needs.

Team Looks Playoff Ready

Although Stolarz didn’t face a ton of shots from the Canadiens, he played extremely well. His ability to track shots through a screen and redirect them out of trouble has been very good as of late. This is the type of thing you love to see as a Maple Leafs fan as we inch closer to Game 1 of the playoffs. They will need Stolarz and Joseph Woll to bring their best effort for their best chance to go on a long run in the playoffs. If they get the same performance as they did over the last seven games from Stolarz, the Maple Leafs will be a very hard team to beat.

On the other side of it, the rest of the team also looked playoff ready. If we look back to last season or even the season before, this wouldn’t have been a game that they would have won. They would have cracked under the pressure and ultimately lost the game and confidence. However, under Craig Berube it seems this team is more prepared for the playoffs than ever before. Obviously, we will find out in a week’s time what happens when the playoffs start. But as of right now, they look good.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs head to Carolina to take on the Carolina Hurricanes in a five p.m. EST start. After that, they will play the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday and Thursday to end the season. Heading to the game against the Canadiens, the Maple Leafs’ magic number to clinch top seed in the Atlantic was five points. With their win last night, it is now down to three points with three games remaining.