3 turning points in the Leafs-Bruins wild 3rd period

While it wasn't an exact replica, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins proved history does indeed repeat itself.

Spearheaded by William Nylander's first career hat trick, Toronto owned a 4-1 lead in the second period. However, presumably drawing from past experience, the Bruins promptly erased the three-goal deficit, setting up one hell of a finish between the Atlantic Division rivals.

Unlike the Maple Leafs' infamous playoff collapse in 2013, though, the result turned out much better for the Blue and White, eventually eking out a crucial two points.

All in all, it was bananas, and a series of key plays ultimately played a big role in determining the outcome. Here are three of them:

Brown gets a break

Five minutes after Ryan Spooner tied things at 4-4, Toronto briefly managed to escape the confines of the defensive zone, and Connor Brown was the beneficiary of a fortuitous bounce on the other side of the rink.

As Zach Hyman searched the slot for a recipient, his centering pass deflected off the heel of Zdeno Chara's stick and right onto the tape of Brown's, who authoritatively put it in the open net.

5-4.

Komarov's penalty

It wasn't long after Brown's goal that Leo Komarov tempted fate, awarding the Bruins a chance after interfering David Pastrnak.

As the hockey god's would have it, none other than Patrice Bergeron would capitalize on the ensuing powerplay.

5-5.

Marner's screen

Based on what transpired throughout a topsy-turvy third period, hardly anyone anticipated overtime despite the tied score, and it was James van Riemsdyk that iced it with 1:36 to go.

While JVR's second tally of the game was certainly a well-placed shot, it wouldn't have been possible without a perfect screen from linemate Mitch Marner.

6-5, final.

Copyright (C) 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.