### Maple Leafs' Nylander Makes History with OT Winner Against Blue Jackets The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a much-needed 2-1 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 27, 2025. This win marked a significant moment for William Nylander, who scored the game-winning goal, setting a new franchise record for career overtime goals with 17. The victory was crucial for the Maple Leafs, who have struggled this season, managing only two wins in their last nine games. The game also saw the return of key players Auston Matthews and Nicolas Roy from injury, adding depth to the lineup as they aim to improve their performance moving forward. Joseph Woll was instrumental in the win, stopping 35 shots, while Zach Werenski scored for Columbus, which faced its fourth overtime loss in ten games [https://apnews.com/article/maple-leafs-blue-jackets-c20140a25732eaaae86d8690658bab93, https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/william_nylanders_franchise_record_ot_winner_lifts_leafs_over_jackets/s1_17050_43126396]. ### Breakdown of the Game and Key Highlights 1. **Game Overview** - The Maple Leafs faced the Blue Jackets in a tightly contested match that required overtime to determine the winner. - Nylander's goal came with just 20 seconds left in the overtime period, showcasing his clutch performance under pressure [https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-columbus-blue-jackets-game-recap-november-26-2025]. 2. **Player Performances** - **William Nylander**: Scored the overtime winner and assisted on Easton Cowan's game-tying goal, solidifying his status as a key player for the Maple Leafs [https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/toronto-maple-leafs/william-nylander-history-blue-jackets]. - **Joseph Woll**: Made 35 saves, demonstrating strong goaltending that was crucial for the team's success [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/william_nylanders_franchise_record_ot_winner_lifts_leafs_over_jackets/s1_17050_43126396]. - **Zach Werenski**: Scored for Columbus, but it was not enough to secure a win for his team [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/3_takeaways_from_the_maple_leafs_2_1_ot_win_over_the_blue_jackets/s1_16448_43128163]. 3. **Team Dynamics** - The return of Auston Matthews and Nicolas Roy provided a boost to the Maple Leafs, who have been dealing with injuries throughout the season [https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/nhl-news-maple-leafs-auston-matthews-breaks-silence-after-return-in-ot-win-vs-blue-jackets]. - The victory is seen as a confidence builder for the team, which has struggled to find consistency this season [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/3_takeaways_from_the_maple_leafs_2_1_ot_win_over_the_blue_jackets/s1_16448_43128163]. ### Supporting Evidence and Statistics - **Game Statistics**: - **Shots on Goal**: Toronto 24, Columbus 36 - **Goals**: - Toronto: Nylander (OT), Cowan - Columbus: Werenski - **Goaltending**: - Joseph Woll (Toronto): 35 saves on 36 shots - Jet Greaves (Columbus): 22 saves on 24 shots [https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-columbus-blue-jackets-game-recap-november-26-2025]. ### Conclusion: A Turning Point for the Maple Leafs In summary, the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2-1 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets represents a pivotal moment in their season. **William Nylander's record-setting goal not only highlights his individual talent but also serves as a potential catalyst for the team's resurgence.** The return of key players and a strong performance from Joseph Woll suggest that the Maple Leafs may be on the verge of turning their season around. Moving forward, they will need to build on this momentum to improve their standings in the league [https://apnews.com/article/maple-leafs-blue-jackets-c20140a25732eaaae86d8690658bab93, https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/3_takeaways_from_the_maple_leafs_2_1_ot_win_over_the_blue_jackets/s1_16448_43128163].