In the autumn, when the Maple Leafs were mediocre at home and away, there seemed little chance any venue would yield a significant win.
Then came Monday’s 4-3 overtime upset in the den of the Colorado Avalanche that capped a 10-game points streak. What hadn’t worked in coach Craig Berube’s constant deck shuffling is now coming up aces.
Our takeaways on a big night as confidence soared in the Mile High City — and put the Leafs in a playoff spot for the first time since early November:
THEY’RE BACK WITH A BANG
Toronto’s points run of 8-0-2 has been fuelled in the most recent games by players whose absence was a reason for the autumn slump. This streak is just the fifth of its kind in 20 years, covering some 100-point teams in Toronto’s Core Four era.
After his second stint on IR, goalie Joseph Woll has won three straight and is 7-1-1 in nine decisions, not counting one that Dennis Hildeby replaced him for a victory. Woll’s given up just four on the last 91 shots, but was definitely looking behind him in overtime when Nathan MacKinnon hit iron and Martin Necas swiped at the empty net rebound.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll deflects a shot in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Denver.
“I saw it go by me, but didn’t hear the stadium go insane,” a relieved Woll told media in Denver. “I told my post ‘thank you’ and we win the game.”
Nylander, injured for six games, had a three-point Saturday against Vancouver, then used his fourth shot to sink the Avs in OT. It was his 50th game-winning goal, to tie Ron Ellis for fifth in club history and tie Daniel Sedin for the most NHL overtime goals by a Swede with 16.
On defence, Brandon Carlo, who wasn’t having a great start before foot surgery, has been getting his big body and stick in front of a lot of opposition chances.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, front, congratulates right wing William Nylander after he scored the winning goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Denver.
CAPTAIN IN THE CRUNCH
Matthews is enjoying his renaissance of the past month, seven goals the past six games, and he could’ve had a hat trick Monday in addition to assisting Nylander’s winner. That was while going up against Nathan MacKinnon’s lethal line, which did its damage, but didn’t overwhelm Matthews and his own wingers.
His ice time was a team high 25:29 at high altitude, with an excruciating two to serve on an unfortunate trip with less than three minutes to go in regulation.
“I owe the boys one for pulling that out, we didn’t give them anything (on the power play),” Matthews said. “We did a good job managing the puck, their skill and speed.”
And he did well, leading by example.
Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Nicholas Robertson lies on the ice after injuring his left leg in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Denver.
HANDY MCMANN
When Nick Robertson left the game in the first period (a shot block injury to be re-evaluated Tuesday), Berube elevated Bobby McMann from the energy line to play with Nicolas Roy and Easton Cowan.
Many saw it a flawed decision last week to take the hot McMann off Matthews’s flank, but the shift was seamless Monday. McMann would’ve got some credit on Cowan’s goal had the official scorer not ruled Brent Burns kicked the puck in his own net and removed the assists by both linemates.
Roy later won a key defensive draw and sent the speedy McMann past three Avs for a breakaway goal. He now has six points his last seven games.
“The biggest strength of my game is just skating,” McMann reminded, “getting in on pucks, forcing turnovers, generating pucks back to our guys, continue to be physical.”
Woll was a Marlies’ teammate of the undrafted McMann.
“He was unbelievable, averaging a goal a game when I was with them. It’s great to see him producing (in the NHL),” Woll said.
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