Leafs dominate the Capitals 5-1 on John Tavares’ 1000th game: Game Highlights

The Leafs bounced back beating the Capitals 5-1 after a tough loss Friday night. Captain John Tavares was honoured with a pre-game ceremony for his 1000th career game. They’ve struggled in the second period lately but were back their old selves with four goals in the middle frame. Below are the highlights from the game.

Ilya Samsonov kept the game scoreless early in the first period with an athletic save…

The Leafs nearly took the lead a couple minutes later but Darcy Kuemper robbed Morgan Reilly with the glove…

Washington struck first with Nicklas Backstrom’s first goal of the season. Backstrom beat a screened Samsonov with a wicked wrister up top on the powerplay. 1-0 Caps…

Toronto responded with a powerplay goal of their own shorty into the second frame. Michael Bunting banked in Mitch Marner’s rebound off Nick Jensen to tie it up 1-1…

Morgan Reilly finally scored his first goal of the season to make it 2-1. John Tavares found him all alone in the slot and Reilly made no mistake firing it home…

Toronto doubled their lead on a delayed penalty midway through the second. William Nylander cleaned up the rebound on the three on one to make it 3-1…

Pierre Engvall scored another beauty to put the Leafs up 4-1. Their fourth goal of the second period…

Rasmus Sandin dropped Conor Sheary with a perfect check early in the third…

Zach Aston-Reese capped off a great night for the Leafs with this slick move around Kuemper to seal the win…