Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets: Top 3 takeaways from Game 4

A stunning comeback from the Toronto Maple Leafs allows them to live to see another day against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Here are three takeaways.

Throughout the entire game, the Columbus Blue Jackets were in the driver’s seat. Elvis Merzlikins looked like a Vezina-candidate and they made the Toronto Maple Leafs look out of place. With less than 4 minutes left in the third, they had a commanding 3-0 lead but that didn’t last.

William Nylander, John Tavares, and Zach Hyman scored one after another with Auston Matthews winning Game 4 in overtime. Here are three takeaways from the most stunning game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far.

1. Incredible comeback

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It seems like three-goal leads aren’t safe in this series. The Maple Leafs blew a 3-0 lead in Game 3 and the Blue Jackets responded with a spectacular collapse with the same lead in Game 4. The first goal from William Nylander came with 3:57 left in the game and was exactly the kind of goal needed to beat a goalie as dialled in as Merlikins. Mitch Marner put it on the net with a crowd in front and Nylander managed the force the puck in.

The second goal came with Matthews creating space for himself and setting up Tavares for a laser over the shoulder. Then, with 22 seconds left in the game, Tavares screens Merzlikins to allow Hyman to score the game-tying goal.

The momentum was completely on the Leafs’ side and it seemed like a matter of when not if they were going to score in OT. Matthews scores his second goal of the series on the power play and the Leafs celebrate a Game 4 victory.

A lot has been made about how much Toronto pays their stars but tonight, Kyle Dubas’s bets have paid off in a big way. If the Leafs want to take this series, they need their best players to put on a show.

2. Zach Werenski is not healthy

After the 10:52 mark of the third period, Zach Werenski never got back onto the ice and was not on the bench for overtime. In Game 2, Weresnki was seen taping up his wrist after an awkward collision along the boards. This time, he was seen getting massaged on the neck by a trainer but John Tortorella didn’t give any indication of Werenski’s status.

Werenski and Seth Jones are the engine of this team and missing him will be a huge blow for the Blue Jackets. Both players have been relied on heavily, with Werenski averaging 26:42 minutes a game and Jones playing 30:12 a night. After he stopped getting on the ice, the Maple Leafs scored 4 unanswered goals which is not a good sign for Columbus for Game 5.

3. Vintage drops the gloves

In the second period, the Leafs were down 2-0 and looked like they already gave up on the game. That was when 37-year-old Jason Spezza decided to bring back some energy by dropping the gloves against Dean Kukan.

While it did take some time after that for the Leafs to get on the board, Spezza’s gesture went a long way on the bench as his teammates understood how much this game meant to him. He understands that there isn’t much time left in his career and he’s going to fight tooth and nail to keep his dream alive.

dark. Next. Play-in round predictions

Game 5 is going to be wild. No lead is safe in this series and both teams will be fighting for their playoff lives. The Blue Jackets have responded strongly to losses all series long but if Werenski is out, it could be a game-changer. The Maple Leafs now have momentum on their side and will look to get into the playoffs for their fourth-straight season.

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