Adam Fantilli did it again for the Blue Jackets in Toronto.
Paced by his three points on two goals and one assist, the Blue Jackets downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 20 at Scotiabank Arena on Fantilli’s jaw-dropping winner that ended it 4:21 into OT.
Fantilli, who’s from the Toronto suburb of Nobleton, Ontario, scored a hat trick of goals in that building last season and nearly did it again. His assist was a shot in the second period that deflected off Dmitri Voronkov into the Maple Leafs’ net for a 1-0 lead. He also made it 2-0 in the second with a goal that beat Toronto goalie Joseph Woll (27 saves).
Jet Greaves, who’s from Cambridge, Ontario, made 28 saves for the Blue Jackets (11-8-2) while somehow not being named as one of the game’s three stars on a fantastic night in net. Dakota Mermis and John Tavares scored goals for the Maple Leafs (9-9-3).
After being outplayed and outshot 12-4 in the first period, the Blue Jackets took a 2-0 lead in the second on goals by Voronkov and Fantilli, who assisted on Voronkov’s goal by shooting it off the towering Russian power forward into the net.
Zach Werenski assisted on all three goals to reach 403 career points to pass Cam Atkinson for second-all time in scoring for the Blue Jackets. Rick Nash is first with 547 points.
Mermis cut it to 2-1 late in the second with a shot from the blue line that Greaves didn’t see after it found its way through heavy traffic. Tavares tied it 2-2 for the Maple Leafs at 3:33 of the third off a pass from Easton Cowan off a rush to set up an exciting finish.Â
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.socialÂ