Tavares, Ekman-Larsson lead the way as Maple Leafs down Predators 7-4
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TORONTO – 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.
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
Predators: Visit the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
Leafs: Host the New York Rangers on Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2025.