Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Luke Evangelista breaks third-period tie as Predators beat Leafs 5-3

Luke Evangelista breaks third-period tie as Predators beat Leafs 5-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Nashville Predators defenceman Adam Wilsby (83) scores a goal past Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Luke Evangelista broke a tie at 9:18 of the third period to help the Nashville Predators beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 on Saturday night.

Evangelista drove down the right side and made a move on defenceman Morgan Rielly at the right dot before lifting a backhander over goalie Joseph Woll.

Erik Haula, Adam Wilsby, Steven Stamkos and Cole Smith also scored, and Juuse Saros made 19 saves. The Predators have won two of three.

Bobby McMann had a goal and an assist for Toronto. Nicolas Roy and John Tavares also scored, and Woll made 29 saves. The Maple Leafs have lost four of five.

Roy opened the scoring at 1:32 of the first period in his 400th career NHL game. Roy tipped McMann’s pass just underneath the crossbar on Toronto’s first shot of the game.

Haula tied it at 4:56 of the second, tipping Roman Josi’s shot from the blue line past Woll on a power play. Nashville has scored a power-play goal in six of seven. Toronto had not allowed a man-advantage goal against in its last five.

Tavares made it 2-1 with 8:03 left in the second when Matias Maccelli’s shot from the high slot hit his skate. Wilsby tied it with 34 seconds left in the period with the teams skating 4-on-4.

Stamkos added an empty-net goal with 1:34 remaining. McMann scored with Woll pulled for an extra attacker with under a minute remaining to draw Toronto within one, and Smith added another empty-netter.

UP NEXT

Maple Leafs: Visit the Dallas Stars on Sunday.

Predators: Host the New York Rangers on Sunday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Luke Evangelista breaks third-period tie as Predators beat Leafs 5-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) catches a puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Luke Evangelista breaks third-period tie as Predators beat Leafs 5-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nicolas Roy (55) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Luke Evangelista breaks third-period tie as Predators beat Leafs 5-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Nashville Predators defenceman Adam Wilsby (83) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Luke Evangelista breaks third-period tie as Predators beat Leafs 5-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Nicholas Robertson (89) and Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) chase a loose puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Associated Press

Jim Diamond

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles