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Maple Leafs Find Grit in Winnipeg: A Road-Trip Statement

Maple Leafs bounce back from Vegas OT loss with 4–3 OT win in Winnipeg. Domi, Matthews, and grit carried them to a messy, playoff-like win.

by
Old Prof
January 18, 2026

The Toronto Maple Leafs finished their road trip with a 4–3 OT win over Winnipeg, and it had that playoff feel. Down two goals in the third, they didn’t freak out. They chipped away, kept pushing, and finally tied it. Matthews found Domi for the OT winner in a win that felt totally earned. After some shaky games holding leads, this game sent a strong message.

Max Domi Shared How Tough the Road Trip Really Had Been

Domi was upfront about the grind. “That was one of the toughest road trips I can remember,” he said. “Games every other day, long travel—every time, we just had to battle. And we found a way to win.” When asked how the team found the energy to come back, he kept it simple: “It’s playoff hockey from here on out. You just keep chipping away and get everyone involved.”

He also had high praise for Matthews, who’s been carrying a lot lately. “He’s a beast,” Domi said. “One of the best players in the game—maybe the best. We’re lucky to have him. He’s like a brother to me.”

Matthews impacted the game by creating chaos in front of the net, keeping Winnipeg on edge, and constantly turning the play up ice and toward Connor Hellebuyck, the Jets’ world-class goalie. When he’s engaged, the Maple Leafs’ ceiling rises immediately.

Max Domi Maple Leafs finally scored a goal — Max Domi scored the overtime goal to beat the Winnipeg Jets last night.

Domi Shared His Connections to Moncton and Winnipeg

Off the ice, Domi reflected on his roots and the hockey communities he’s connected to. Although he said he spent only a few weeks in Moncton growing up, he loves the city’s passion for the game. Winnipeg fans brought the energy, too. “Coming here is always a blast,” he said. “The crowd is loud, the energy is wild—these are the games you remember.”

With five points out of eight possible on the trip, the Maple Leafs leave the road in decent shape. Even better, they showed they could win games that got messy. Two nights earlier, they had given up two-goal leads only to lose in overtime.

The Maple Leafs Changed the Story from the Vegas Game

The Jets’ game was different. They rebounded from two goals down themselves. If they can keep playing with this same intensity, the rest of the season could actually turn into a successful playoff chase. Who knows? There’s a chance.

After a night like this, it feels like they’re ready for it.