Game 9 of the 2025–26 season is in the books — and the Toronto Maple Leafs narrowly escape Buffalo with a 4–3 overtime win thanks to the late-game heroics of captain John Tavares! Zack Phillips delivers a rapid postgame reaction, breaking down how the Leafs avoided full-blown panic after another sloppy defensive showing. From Nic Robertson’s first-line goal and Easton Cowan’s relentless forecheck to Jake McCabe’s massive, tone-setting hit and fight, Zack analyzes the rare bursts of emotion this team showed despite ongoing concerns. He also dives into the absence of William Nylander, Morgan Rielly’s return, an alarming goaltending situation with Primo and Hildeby, the Leafs’ lack of sustained possession, and a power play that continues to let them down. Plus: Bet365 Best Bet recap, grading the performance, and celebrating Tavares’ 499th career goal as Toronto grinds out a much-needed two points.
Chapters:
00:00 OT win avoids Leafs panic
00:28 Goalie situation gets messy (Primo & Hildeby)
01:20 Nylander out, Rielly returns
02:52 Nic Robertson scores on the top line
03:55 Jake McCabe’s massive hit + fight sparks emotion
05:47 Power play continues to struggle
06:34 Passing and rush defense collapse
08:36 Dakota Joshua ties it up
09:55 John Tavares OT winner + 499th career goal
10:34 Bet365 Best Bet recap
11:16 Play of the Game: Jake McCabe
11:35 Final grade: D+ but two points secured
12:40 What’s next on TLN After Dark
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18 Comments
FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRST
McCabe and Benoit must be physical and lay the hits. "To Serve and Punish".
Matthews needs a playmaker.
So Leafs lose to Buffalo Fri & then need OT to win next night!The Sabres were the team carrying the play cuz,like it or not you TO-based fans/commentators Marner should've been offered $15 million + cuz this team of no-talent-Treliving isn't close to playoff caliber.Good luck.
New Secular Order
Tavares cannot be best player to move forward
Domi worst player on leaf
How you don't bet Robertson goal who nick name is scratch and score I have won 4 times on betting him after scratched its a easy no brainer
Buffalo handed them the game. What a lame attempt at a save on the goal that tied the game and then Power not shooting the puck in OT and it going the other way. WTH were the Sabres doing?
Starting to tire of Mr. Zack just a little to negative to pay attention to this early in the year ….. I'll give you a D- as far as a Leaf's site goes .
We 9 games in,,,!!!!plus, missing some key guys,tanev,!!!im not panicking yet,!
Not panicking but excepting the fact that this team is mediocre at best.
Leafs barely win. They still suck!!!
Nylander is not the second best player on the team, He’s their best player.
This team is not close to being a contender, far from it.
Cut Primeau some slack dude….. he's played 2 games and won both!!! Why is he a nightmare? And scary? Show some confidence in him dude!
Max Domi’s stats last 5 games:
0 goals
0 assists
0 SHOTS??
= 100% useless.
Trade Robertson for Kadri. Trade Stolarz for Hymann. Trade Cowan for Tuck.