It’s an unenviable position to be in, but it’s entirely by their own design: the Toronto Maple Leafs ended up stuck in the middle, losing 7-6 in an overtime thriller to the Los Angeles Kings. Toronto secured one point, which will satisfy few, if any in Leafs Nation, with many hoping for the team to recoup its top-five protected first-round pick from the Boston Bruins.

John Tavares reached the 30-goal marker for the eighth time in his career, Matthew Knies forced overtime with a two-goal, three-point night, while Steven Lorentz, Easton Cowan and Nick Robertson added singles in the losing effort.

It’s only fitting that John Tavares and Easton Cowan led the charge on the first line. Tavares was the Maple Leafs’ first-quarter MVP and has been the team’s best player during the home stretch. Both players were hunting for offence throughout the night, with Tavares involved as an all-around threat. Tavares delivered a gorgeous no-look pass to Cowan for Toronto’s fourth goal of the evening during a second period power play, a prime example that he can still make star-calibre plays when given time and space to operate.

Tavares previously notched his 30th goal of the season, knocking home a loose puck at the net-front. He’s been a constant offensive force for the Maple Leafs this season, while playing on a team-friendly contract. Tavares and Cowan ought to be staples of the Maple Leafs’ next season, a year which should promise massive change after a decade of contention.

Matthew Knies delivered his best game since the Olympic break, scoring twice, while adding a secondary assist on Cowan’s goal. Knies has recorded 23 goals and 63 points in 74 games, while playing through a lingering knee injury. I’ve argued that the Maple Leafs should shut Knies down for the remainder of the season, with nothing to play for but pride. For one night, Knies silenced this argument and looked every bit the burgeoning power forward that we’ve come to expect.

Knies converted on a terrific saucer pass from Max Domi for the game’s opening goal. And as the Maple Leafs staged a frantic third-period comeback, Knies wired a shot past Darcy Kuemper to force overtime. This is the most explosive Knies has looked since February, and he posted a 53 percent share of the expected goals at 5-on-5, trailing only Dakota Joshua among Maple Leafs. If the Maple Leafs are insistent on playing Knies, Saturday’s game was the greatest argument in their favour.

Anze Kopitar will be retiring at the end of the season, and he remains in outstanding form for the Los Angeles Kings. Kopitar posted 1.85 goals against per 60, the third-best figure of all players with 500 minutes or greater at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick prior to Saturday’s games. He is a leading candidate to win his third Selke Trophy, although he made a key defensive error that led directly to a Maple Leafs’ goal.

Kopitar carried the puck up the ice during a Kings’ power play, but was stripped by Steven Lorentz. Lorentz promptly raced away and tucked the puck home for a short-handed marker, giving the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead. It was the rare defensive mistake made by Kopitar, who remains one of the NHL’s elite all-around forwards. After the game, the Maple Leafs all shook hands with Kopitar, a gesture that the Kings’ captain wanted to keep out of the public eye, via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

“What’s amazing about this league is playing against the world’s best, and he’s been one of those for a long time,” Tavares said post-game via Fox.

Although Kopitar went scoreless, he received the final laugh during his final game against the Leafs.