In the third period, the Maple Leafs score twice in 20 seconds, trailing 5–4.

had just put the Dallas Stars up with less than nine minutes left in regulation with a flawless penalty shot.

From that point on, the Maple Leafs’ night might go in one of two directions.

Despite controlling the third quarter, Toronto may start to show signs of weakness after giving up a lead. Or just keep pushing for the victory without pressing.

The latter was ensured by three of the team’s all-stars and its captain, who was rediscovering his attacking touch.

Following Dadonov’s equalizer, Mitch Marner and William Nylander scored 20 seconds apart to help Toronto upset Dallas 5-4.

With 8:55 remaining in regulation, Marner scored his 22nd goal of the year off an assist from Auston Matthews to break a 3-3 tie only 32 seconds after the penalty shot.

Marner stated, “All we wanted to do was go back to work.” “Our bench does a nice job of remaining in the present and acknowledging that there will be another chance to get outside and play.

“But not pushing it at the same time. It was one of those occasions.”

Twenty seconds later, with Scotiabank Arena still humming, Nylander scored his second goal of the game and his 25th of the season after receiving a feed from John Tavares.

“Excellent reaction from Mitchy and Matty,” Nylander said. “We managed to investigate that further.”

Tavares and Matthews both contributed two assists and a goal apiece for Toronto (26-15-8), which now leads the NHL in both categories. Nylander scored three more points with an assist.

According to Matthews, “each game will provide its own unique obstacles.” There are likely to be various fluctuations in momentum. We make an effort to be mindful and present.

Following the all-star break, the Leafs lost 3-2 to the New York Islanders on Monday. Ilya Samsonov made 27 saves. The Leafs also scored three goals on the power play.

Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn scored the other Dallas goals (31–16–6). After the Stars’ 2-1 victory in Buffalo on Tuesday, Jake Oettinger was rested, and Scott Wedgewood made 26 saves.

On that penalty shot, Dadonov scored his second goal of the evening and his twelfth overall after being bear-hugged by Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano during a breakaway.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Leafs stated, “We made a mistake.” Up until then, we were having a terrific time playing. Just keep going with it. Continue on.”

With 1:25 left in regulation, Johnston scored his 15th goal to tie it 5-4, but Toronto held on as Nylander missed the empty net in an attempt to complete his second NHL hat trick and first since February 2017.

Leading the way last week were Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and defenseman Morgan Rielly, as the city played home to the league’s all-star celebrations.

The four-team, 3-on-3 mini-tournament was won by the Leafs-led squad, and Matthews was named MVP.

The sharpshooter responded, “It’s not too hard,” when questioned about the difficulty of getting back into a regular-season schedule. “You’re grateful that things have returned to how they were.”

After Radek Faska struck the post at the other end just over two minutes in, Nylander scored a one-timer at 6:34 to give the Leafs, who defeated the Stars 4-1 in Dallas on October 26, the lead.

After losing its previous ten games 7-2-1, Dallas converted its second power-play opportunity when Benn scored his eleventh goal at 14:52.

Two minutes and thirty-five seconds later, Dadonov broke the rush to give the visitors the lead.

Then, in the last seconds, Johnston came dangerously close to making it 3-1, but Samsonov was saved twice in the term by his left post.

After going a career-worst nine games without scoring, Tavares broke the scoreless streak with his third goal in as many games at 3:40 of the second on a power play.

Before that third-period drama, Matthews gave the home team a 3-2 lead at 12:37 on another power play when his attempted saucer feed went in off Stars defenseman Esa Lindell. Matthews had come dangerously close to scoring shorthanded earlier in the stanza.

“What a reaction,” Keefe said following an incredible 52-second, three-goal burst. “Austin manages the situation there, and Mitch is a major objective.

“And that phrase, and then (Tavares) follow it up.”