TORONTO – Alexander Wennberg scored at 2:49 of overtime as the San Jose Sharks came back from a two-goal deficit to top the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Thursday night.
John Klingberg, with a goal and an assist, and Dmitry Orlov provided the rest of the offence for San Jose (15-14-3). Alex Nedeljkovic made 28 saves for the Sharks. Wennberg added two assists.
Auston Matthews and Dakota Joshua replied for Toronto (14-11-5). Dennis Hildeby stopped 29 shots. William Nylander added two assists.
Matthews made it 2-0 in the second period on a power play with his 13th goal of the season — and fourth in the last seven contests — to snap Toronto’s ugly 2-for-28 run with the man advantage.
Related Videos
2:40
Toronto Maple Leafs hold state of the union amid middle of winless skid
-
![]()
Toronto Maple Leafs hold state of the union amid middle of winless skid
-
![]()
Nazem Kadri reflects on surpassing 1,000 game milestone
-
![]()
Toronto sports fans prepare for double-header of Leafs, Blue Jays game tonight
-
![]()
MLSE President and CEO Pelley not ‘deciding who we draft and what free agents we sign’
-
![]()
Brendan Shanahan out as Toronto Maple Leafs president
-
![]()
Toronto Maple Leafs look to finish job back at home in Game 7
-
![]()
Leafs force Game 7, look for series win at home on Sunday
-
![]()
NHL benches Florida Panthers executive over ‘inappropriate’ social media comments
-
![]()
Round 2 returns to Toronto with Leafs and Panthers tied
-
![]()
Pucks, pints and profits: The ‘hockey-nomics’ of NHL playoffs
Nazem Kadri reflects on surpassing 1,000 game milestone
Toronto sports fans prepare for double-header of Leafs, Blue Jays game tonight
MLSE President and CEO Pelley not ‘deciding who we draft and what free agents we sign’
Brendan Shanahan out as Toronto Maple Leafs president
Toronto Maple Leafs look to finish job back at home in Game 7
Leafs force Game 7, look for series win at home on Sunday
NHL benches Florida Panthers executive over ‘inappropriate’ social media comments
Round 2 returns to Toronto with Leafs and Panthers tied
Pucks, pints and profits: The ‘hockey-nomics’ of NHL playoffs
Orlov ended Hildeby’s shutout streak at 132 minutes six seconds when he scored his first of the campaign to make the score 2-1 through two periods. Klingberg forced overtime with a point shot late in regulation after Barclay Goodrow’s pinballed effort was ruled out for offside earlier in the third.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.Already down two top defenceman in Chris Tanev (upper-body injury) and Brandon Carlo (lower-body injury), the Leafs lost Oliver Ekman-Larsson early in the final period when Sharks winger Adam Gaudette landed on his left ankle along the boards.
Takeaways
More on Sports More videos- NHL players ‘not going’ to Winter Olympics if ice isn’t safe: deputy commissioner
- Dillon Dube signs AHL tryout following world junior sexual assault acquittal
- Raptors finally rest after difficult stretch
- Knicks bounce Raptors out of NBA Cup 117-101
-
![]()
NHL worried about Milan’s unfinished Olympic hockey arena
-
![]()
Halifax Wanderers hire Vannie Sartini as new head coach
-
![]()
New head coach of Halifax Wanderers ready to lead the team to victory
-
![]()
Seattle FIFA World Cup embroiled in Iran/Egypt controversy
NHL worried about Milan’s unfinished Olympic hockey arena
Halifax Wanderers hire Vannie Sartini as new head coach
New head coach of Halifax Wanderers ready to lead the team to victory
Seattle FIFA World Cup embroiled in Iran/Egypt controversy
Maple Leafs: Henry Thrun made his debut for the club with fellow defenceman Dakota Mermis on injured reserve with a lower-body ailment suffered in Monday’s 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Thrun was acquired from San Jose for tough guy Ryan Reaves in July.
Sharks: Reaves was asked following his team’s morning skate about returning to Toronto. The 38-year-old played just 35 games last year before clearing waivers and getting demoted to the minors. “They basically said that I couldn’t play in this league anymore,” Reaves told reporters at Scotiabank Arena. “And I’m back.”
Trending Now-
![]()
Extortion suspects have all claimed refugee status, Canada’s border agency says
-
![]()
U.S. seizes oil tanker off Venezuela coast, Trump says
Extortion suspects have all claimed refugee status, Canada’s border agency says
U.S. seizes oil tanker off Venezuela coast, Trump says
Key moment
Wennberg scored the winner in the extra period on a play where he kicked the puck from his skate to his stick from in tight.
Story continues below advertisementKey stat
Matthews scored his 414th career goal and now sits seven goals from passing Mats Sundin (420) for the most in franchise history.
Up next
Maple Leafs: Host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
Sharks: Visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2025.