How the Maple Leafs are hanging in with the Capitals

"As you play more with a player, you get to know their tendencies".

The rookie trio of Matthews, Nylander and Zach Hyman proved nearly unstoppable in Game 3 - with more than 70 percent puck possession. The group managed to withstand a full two-minute 5-on-3 advantage and then, for good measure, killed off another Caps advantage a few minutes later.

Hyman chased down the loose puck that led to Nylander's first of the postseason and then drew the penalty that led to Bozak's game-winner. It has been a whole season where you come into the locker room with a smile because you have those guys.

"Not the best. I wish I could help the team out a little bit more, coming up bigger when they had their chances", Andersen said. When you have the best goal-scorer in hockey, and maybe the best line in hockey through the regular season, put them on the ice and let them do what they do.

Some of his primary concerns: Washington's role players not stepping up, and Trotz trying too hard to make those players effective. What is also being confirmed is Maple Leafs management is being rewarded for some very key decisions in terms of which players were kept versus those who were sent away when it was decided two years ago to enter into a strategic rebuild.

Matthews saw plenty of Kuznetsov during Games 1 and 2 of their first-round playoff series in Washington and was largely contained - held pointless with five shots. "So we want to improve on tonight and get even better, but I think tonight was a right step breathing-wise and it could be the same next game".

If the Leafs rookies were supposed to be intimidated by the Caps, it's clear they are not, and if anything they are just hitting their stride.

Mike Babcock doesn't think fatigue will be an issue as the series continues.

"Until we change the narrative, that's going to be the question", Matt Niskanen told the Washington Post. So everything is magnified, that's all. That evened up the series, with both games going to overtime thus far. Here's a Game 4 preview.

So after three games instead of the Leafs needing to shut down the Capitals stars to have any hope of competing, it's the Capitals who need to find an answer for the Leafs youngsters and their seemingly boundless energy.

The Anaheim Ducks overcame the Calgary Flames 5-4 to lead their series 3-0.

"There's a lot of emotion for us, but we've got to be more responsible with the puck, protect the house, protect (goalie Braden Holtby), protect the offensive zone", Wilson said. On Monday night, the Capitals' top line of Ovechkin, Backstrom and T.J. Oshie was dominant, accounting for four of the team's seven shots in the first period.

Washington looked crisp and confident early, cycling pucks with authority in the Toronto end. All three games of the series so far have gone to at least one extra session, with Game 2 decided in two, so now is the flawless time for him to turn in his best performance of the playoffs and help the Capitals win in regulation.

Before the series Babcock was asked about the pest-potential of Wilson, who also scored the Game 1 overtime victor, and said: "Nothing against Wilson because he works hard and all that, but he's not as big a concern as lots of people on their team".

Riley Nash was in the penalty box when Erik Karlsson hit a flying Turris with a pass into the zone that was close to being offside.

Sean Monahan had a goal and an assist for the Flames.

Matthews scored but the Kadri line fuelled the fire, helping start a comeback that finished with a 4-3 win thanks to a Tyler Bozak power-play goal 1:37 into overtime - with Kadri getting an assist.

After allowing two quick goals by Washington forwards Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin in the first five minutes of the game and trailing by 3-1 for the majority of the second period, Toronto bounced back with goals from rookies Connor Brown and William Nylander in the final minutes of the second frame.

Noel Acciari and David Backes also scored for the Bruins. Tuukka Rask stopped 28 shots.

Zaitsev was playing his first game of the series and first in the National Hockey League playoffs after sitting out the opening two games with a suspected concussion. "They outplayed us in the third period".

Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday in Toronto and Game 5 is set for Friday in Washington.

Dennis Rasmussen and Patrick Kane each scored the first goals this series for the Western Conference's No. 1 seed.