Kasperi Kapanen scores winner for Toronto Maple Leafs in double overtime

The Toronto Maple Leafs head back to the Air Canada Centre with a 1-1 series tie after Kasperi Kapanen scored the double overtime winner in Game 2 against the Washington Capitals.

Entering the first round of the NHL playoffs, few people gave the young and inexperienced Toronto Maple Leafs team a chance against the President Trophy winning Washington Capitals. However, after two games the Maple Leafs will return to Toronto with a 1-1 series tie thanks to a double overtime winner from Kasperi Kapanen.

The Maple Leafs and Capitals went to overtime for the second consecutive game. In Game 1, Tom Wilson won it for the Capitals. Despite having their fair share of chances, Washington could not beat Toronto goalie Frederik Andersen. Instead, it was Toronto walking away with the 4-3 win.

Toronto center Brian Boyle controlled the puck behind the Washington net. The 6’6″ center skated behind the net toward Capitals’ goalie Braden Holtby’s left post. As Holtby shifted over to his left post, Boyle sent a backhand pass to Kapanen who snapped it into the net before Holtby could slide to his right. Washington defenseman John Carlson had lost his stick earlier in his shift, attempted to block the shot but was unable to make a play on Kapanen.

The goal was Kapanen’s second of the game. Kapanen scored in the second period to tie the game 2-2. Both of Kapanen’s goals were assisted by Boyle and Matt Martin.

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Kapanen was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014. However, the Penguins traded Kapanen to Toronto in a package for Phil Kessel. The 20-year-old Finnish forward has spent the majority of the past two seasons with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, playing just 17 games for the Maple Leafs.