Matthews' OT winner, Stolarz's 37 saves and more: 3 reasons why Toronto Maple Leafs won 2-1 in OT against Devils 

The Toronto Maple Leafs outlasted the New Jersey Devils 2-1, defeating their former coach Sheldon Keefe in overtime on Tuesday night at Prudential Center.

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was the hero, scoring at 2:51 of the extra frame. Pontus Holmberg scored a huge shorthanded goal at 10:42 of the third period to tie the game. Meanwhile, Ondrej Palat opened the scoring at 7:16 of the second period for the New Jersey Devils.

Here's a closer look at three key reasons why Toronto notched a 2-1 overtime win over New Jersey on Tuesday.

3 reasons why Toronto Maple Leafs defeated New Jersey Devils 2-1 in overtime

#3. Leafs' penalty kill was huge

The Toronto Maple Leafs entered Tuesday night’s affair with the eighth-best penalty kill in the league. That penalty kill was huge as it went 4-for-4 on the night.

However, it was Pontus Holmberg’s second goal of the season that made all the difference. Holmberg took a lead pass from teammate Connor Dewar following a scramble in front of the Leafs’ net.

With the Devils in disarray, Dewar fired a pass up the ice where Holmberg streaked the net, fighting off two Devils players. Holmberg chucked the puck at the net, beating Jacob Markstrom for the equalizer.

That penalty kill was particularly important as moments earlier, Matthew Knies had taken a needless boarding penalty. Luckily for the Leafs, the shorthanded situation turned into the game-tying goal.

#2. Anthony Stolarz stole the game

Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Anthony Stolarz essentially stole the game for Toronto. With the Leafs outshot 38-17, it was Stolarz who held the fort, making 37 saves on the night.

However, it was his big save in overtime that opened the door for Auston Matthews to end it. The sequence began with a rush chance by the Devils, leading to Brett Pesce taking a shot after the Devils caught the Leafs’ players out of position.

Stolarz made the save and the long rebound went all the way up the ice where Pesce and Matthews entered a foot race. Matthews won and promptly beat Markstrom for the overtime winner.

#1. Auston Matthews' overtime heroics

Auston Matthews was the Leafs’ hero on Tuesday night, singlehandedly ending the game with a fantastic breakaway goal.

It was Matthews’ ninth goal of the season. Most importantly, it was a huge tally after a relatively frustrating night. Matthews had five shots on goal but had failed to connect on any of the previous ones. However, Matthews didn’t miss on his fifth shot of the night, netting the game-winner.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will get the day off on Wednesday before taking on the Anaheim Ducks at home on Thursday night.