Dec 25, 2025
3 min read
A monster game-winner in a must-win game, Max Domi's third baseman finished the game with 23 innings pitched, during which he had more hits (two) than goals on the board.
TORONTO — Max Domus' celebratory fist pump could have turned Jake Paul off, he was so excited about the dent.
The winger, who, like most of his teammates, didn't go 4-on-4, coast-to-coast, split Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen and turned Brett Kulak inside before his blocker beat Stuart Skinner to send the Toronto Maple Leafs into the holiday season with flying colours.
A monster winner in a game that should have been won, Domi's third-period penalties ended a 23-game streak during which he had more healthy scratches (two) than goals on the board.
No wonder he's so cheerful.
"That was nasty. A lot of '. Dipsi-Doodle and put it in,'" William Norander admired."A big target for us. A lot of fun to watch."
On Festivus morning, with a bunch of kids in the bullpen, Toronto locals began to voice their displeasure as the home team's 3-1 lead disappeared under the pressure of the Penguins, unable to take the lead on one of the NHL's worst power plays.
But Dom's shot got everyone excited.Senior Chris Tanev called it a "Christmas present" in his comeback game.
Some empty netters closed the gap in a clean 6-3 score.
“This is exactly what we needed,” Domi said.
The egg nog should go a little smoother.
"It's a boost and I think he'll have a better Christmas," trainer Craig Berube said."If you love Christmas."
Despite going 0-3 on the road last week, which was the nail in the coffin for assistant coach Mark Saward, the Maple Leafs are playing better and better.
Where they stand, however, they need a string of W's to wrap around the Douglas fir.
"We're all judged by our results," general manager Brad Treliving said of his thin bench."It's not lost on us where our team is. We live it every day.
"Guys wear it. They care. And when you're going through tough times, nobody wears it better than the guys who are going through it."
No one wore William Nylander's 11 goals better than a bearded man.The superstar was missing as we saw him in Dallas on Sunday.
Therefore, the explosion of number 88 with two goals and two assists on Tuesday affected the result and confidence.
Yes, the Leafs were given a few breaks (Steven Lorentz got a three-hacker!) and Pens defenseman Parker Wotherspoon tipped Matias Masselli's center pass into his own net, but Toronto managed to break it up.
We scored tonight," Berube said. "That's the difference.
If the Leafs fail to score a few more goals, then the game will play out like a rerun of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
But they went in and Domi broke the tension and goalkeeper Joseph Wall kept the goal.
"It's good to have a little bit of a mental reset, especially with what's going on," Lorentz said before heading out to meet the family."We're going to get two points now any way you can get it."
No, they do not require a gift receipt for this item.
"We're hanging in here and we believe in each other and we believe in this group," Domi said.“It showed tonight.
"Re-write, have a good break with the families, and stay tuned."
"We're going to be the same."
• Tanev, who has been sidelined since Nov. 1 with an undisclosed head and neck injury, was not surprised to return for the final game before Christmas, but he got the green light from his doctor on Monday and decided to leave.
"I think I played half a game in nine weeks. So, it's not funny. It's definitely the longest game of my career that I haven't played. So, it's true a lot of ups and downs. Just try to grind it out and stay good. And I'm very happy to be back on the ice," said Tanev.
"They wouldn't let me play if they knew there was going to be an accident, but of course something could happen."
Tanev, of course, is rusty.
He made a dangerous gift in his own slot — "give him a Christmas present at home," he quipped — but ended up with a plus-1 rating and a few blocks.Encourage the group to let him back.
“He is a consummate professional.He goes out and fills up the gas tank every shift.He did the hardest thing.He eats pucks for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Domi said. “Among other things.His leadership and experience calmed our entire group.It gives us a lot of confidence.”
• After Marc Savard was fired, Derek Lalonde was tasked with leading the game meetings, but PP decisions are made as a staff.Treliving did not rule out an outside hire.
"I don't think we're turning the page on the season," Treliving said."We are not waving a white flag here."
The Maple Leafs won two power plays and recorded one save on Tuesday.
Maccelli won 5-4 penalties, and Toronto went 0-2.
• Brad treebeling: "Auston didn't ask for a trade."
• Sidney Crosby hit Bryan Rust in the first period for his 1,080th assist and passed Adam Oates for eighth all-time.Next: Joe Thornton (1109).
The Penguins' all-time scoring streak in the record books continues.
• Love these no-white sweater matchups, which the NHL calls a "color rush" game.More, please.
