Maple Leafs still searching for chemistry after blowing three-goal lead

The Toronto Maple Leafs blew an early three-goal advantage before falling 4-3 in a shootout to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. Toronto established a quick 3-0 lead within the opening nine minutes against Adin Hill, but Vegas rallied as Mark Stone scored late in the first period and Jack Eichel converted a penalty shot. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 40 saves to help Toronto secure a point.

Toronto head coach Jim Hiller frequently adjusted his forward lines throughout the night, utilizing 10 different combinations at five-on-five while integrating eight new forwards. William Nylander moved alongside Auston Matthews mid-game, while Kirill Marchenko shifted to John Tavares's line. The Maple Leafs also saw defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson exit the game with an injury following a collision with Jeremy Lauzon.