John Tavares and Oliver Ekman-Larsson each had a goal and two assists as the Toronto Maple Leafs snapped a two-game slide by downing the Nashville Predators 7-4 on Tuesday.
Auston Matthews had a pair of goals, including one into an empty net, while Jake McCabe and Bobby McMann provided the rest of the offence for Toronto (2-2-0). Cayden Primeau made 26 saves. William Nylander added another empty-netter to go along with two assists. Matthew Knies chipped in three helpers.
Nick Perbix, with a goal and an assist, Michael McCarron, Erik Haula and Roman Josi replied for Nashville (2-1-1). Justus Annunen stopped 22 shots in battle of backup netminders. Ozzy Wiesblatt and Adam Wilsby had two assists each.
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Plucked off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes last week with Joseph Woll away from the Leafs due to a family matter, Primeau registered his first NHL victory since Nov. 27, 2024, with the Montreal Canadiens.
Toronto was coming off Monday afternoon's 3-2 home loss to the Detroit Red Wings, while Nashville picked up a 4-1 matinee victory over the Senators in Ottawa.
Tied 2-2 in Tuesday's second period, the Leafs pushed ahead when Tavares scored his first goal of the season by banging home a loose puck after a pretty give-and-go between Nylander and Ekman-Larsson.
TAKEAWAYS
Leafs: Anthony Stolarz started Toronto's first three games in net — an opening-night victory over Montreal followed by back-to-back losses to Detroit.
Predators: Head coach Andrew Brunette's group is off to a much better start in 2025-26 after beginning last season with five straight regulation losses before finally picking up their first victory.
KEY MOMENT
Toronto head coach Craig Berube called a timeout after Nashville scored goals 44 seconds apart in the second period to erase a 2-0 deficit. Tavares restored the lead just under five minutes later before McMann made it 4-2 through 40 minutes.
KEY STAT
Leafs rookie Easton Cowan picked up an assist on Matthews' goal that made it 5-2 for the winger's first NHL point.
UP NEXT
Leafs: Host the New York Rangers on Thursday.
