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Toronto Takes Game 1 in Overtime Thriller, Defeats Vegas 4-3

June 2nd, 2025

Forward Nick Robertson celebrates after scoring the Game Winning Goal in Overtime as Toronto takes a 1-0 Series Lead.

The Stanley Cup Final opened with a dramatic showdown as the Toronto Maple Leafs edged out the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime, taking Game 1 on the road at T-Mobile Arena. Nicholas Robertson played the hero, scoring just 20 seconds into overtime, capping off a thrilling, back-and-forth battle between the top seeds from each conference.

Both teams played a tight defensive game, showing a high level of respect for their opponent’s firepower. Neither side wanted to make the first costly mistake, leading to a structured, tactical matchup.

Toronto outshot Vegas 41-27, but the Golden Knights once again committed to blocking shots, finishing with 29 blocks compared to the Leafs’ 25. The Maple Leafs dominated in the faceoff circle and on the boards, controlling possession and dictating the pace for long stretches of the game.

With the win, Toronto takes a 1-0 series lead, shifting momentum in their favor ahead of Game 2.

Vegas got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring at 5:04 of the first period when Brendan Brisson finished a passing play from Morgan Geekie and Nathan Gaucher, putting the Golden Knights ahead 1-0.

The home crowd didn’t have to wait long for another Vegas goal, as Max Pacioretty made it 2-0 at 9:30, converting a setup from Mark Stone and Jack Eichel.

Toronto, however, pushed back and found a crucial goal late in the period. At 15:49, Josh Anderson buried a shot past Robin Lehner, finishing off a play from Nick Abruzzese to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into the first intermission.

The second period was a defensive chess match, with both teams locking down the neutral zone and limiting high-danger scoring chances.

Just as it seemed Vegas would carry the 2-1 lead into the third, Toronto’s John Tavares tied the game at 18:58, finishing a pass from William Nylander and Travis Dermott.

The goal shifted momentum in Toronto’s favor, as the Leafs controlled offensive zone time and dictated play through the final minutes of the period.

Toronto took their first lead of the game at 8:40 of the third period, when Rodion Amirov found the back of the net, set up by Anderson. With the Leafs now ahead 3-2, they focused on playing shutdown hockey and limiting Vegas’s ability to transition into the offensive zone.

The Golden Knights, however, were not done yet. With just 2:30 left in regulation, Sam Reinhart tied the game at 3-3, finishing a play from Zach Whitecloud and William Karlsson.

The Vegas crowd erupted, sensing an opportunity for their team to steal the game in overtime.

The extra frame barely had time to begin before Toronto silenced the Vegas crowd.

Just 20 seconds into overtime, Nicholas Robertson took a feed from Auston Matthews, skated into space, and ripped a shot past Lehner to secure the Game 1 victory for Toronto.

The Maple Leafs stormed the ice in celebration, while Vegas was left stunned after clawing their way back late in the third.

“That’s the kind of game you dream about,” said Robertson. “We knew they were going to push hard, but we stayed with it and found a way to win. Now we need to use this momentum to steal another win here.”

Toronto’s ability to control puck possession, dominate the faceoff dot, and win board battles proved crucial in their win.

Meanwhile, Vegas struggled to generate consistent offense, relying heavily on blocked shots and counterattacks to stay in the game.

“They executed better than we did,” said Golden Knights captain Mark Stone. “We had chances, but we have to be sharper. It’s a long series, and we’ll be ready for Game 2.”

With Toronto now leading the series 1-0, the pressure shifts to Vegas to respond in Game 2 at T-Mobile Arena on June 4.

The Golden Knights will look to adjust offensively, while Toronto hopes to build on their Game 1 success and take a 2-0 series lead back home to Scotiabank Arena.

“We’ve got to reset and be better,” said Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy. “We’ve been in this position before, and we know how to bounce back.”