The Toronto Maple Leafs managed to escape Calgary with a much-needed victory and two points, but the win wasn't without its drama. Midway through the third period, it seemed like it was going to be more of the same - a fourth straight game blowing a third period lead.
Following a botched clearing attempt by Tyler Bertuzzi, the Calgary Flames held the zone and Connor Zary poked a loose puck past Martin Jones to tie the game at four. Immediately, however, the Leafs' video coaches, Jordan Bean and Sam Kim, called down to Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe thinking they believed the goal should be challenged for a hand pass. After a timeout by the Leafs and a longer look at the play by Bean and Kim, the Leafs challenged and the goal was overturned, restoring their 4-3 lead.
The Leafs held on for a needed regulation win and, in the process, possibly saved Sheldon Keefe's job. Heading into last night's game, the Leafs had registered just 1 point in their previous four games and had lost 7 of their last 11 games. The last time the Leafs only had one point or less in five games was the week Mike Babcock was fired. Had the Leafs lost last night, it very well could have been Keefe's undoing.
