San Jose's depth lines dismantled a Toronto team already too thin on points to absorb an early two-goal hole, turning a late-season road game into a structural mismatch from the opening period. This SJS win moves them further into Pacific playoff position while Toronto's bubble status tightens.
⚡TURNING POINT
Gaudette's empty-net goal at 19:03 of the third sealed a 4-1 final and ended any remaining arithmetic hope Toronto carried into the final minute. It confirmed that San Jose's defensive structure had held through three periods of pressure, making the outcome irreversible.
🏆WHY SJS WON
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Nedeljkovic conceded 1.00 goal fewer than league-average on 20 shots — in a three-goal game decided before the third, that margin was the foundation.
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San Jose's first-period dominance produced two even-strength goals in under 15 minutes, forcing Toronto into a reactive structure for the full 60.
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A 53.3% faceoff rate gave San Jose consistent zone entry control, and four different goal scorers confirmed no single line needed to carry the offensive load.
📉WHY TOR LOST
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Stolarz conceded 0.60 goals above league-average on 24 shots — in a one-goal game for Toronto's side, that gap was unrecoverable.
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Toronto's 46.7% faceoff rate denied them reliable offensive zone time, limiting them to 20 shots against a team that dictated territorial play.
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A 14-giveaway count directly undermined transition and allowed San Jose to sustain pressure rather than defend against any Toronto pushback.
Three Stars
Alex Nedeljkovic1st
SJS, G
SV% 0.95019 saves
His 1.00-goal-below-average margin on 20 shots removed any comeback foothold Toronto could establish.
William Eklund2nd
SJS, L
1G 1A2 pointsTOI 15:01+2
His contribution to both the early third-period goal and the insurance score defined San Jose's grip on the middle frame.
Collin Graf3rd
SJS, R
1GTOI 13:53+1
His late first-period goal doubled the San Jose lead and made Toronto's deficit structurally damaging before 20 minutes elapsed.
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San Jose's goaltending outperformed league-average by a full goal while Toronto's fell short by more than half — in a three-goal game, that combined 1.6-goal margin was the entire result.
