During last night’s 4-0 drubbing of the Calgary Flames, it was the second goal that captured the Maple Leafs’ season in a nutshell.



After surrendering a chance against, budding superstar Auston Matthews corralled the puck and heaved it up-ice. The Leafs have relied on chips into the neutral zone all season, counting on their speed advantage to lead to puck recoveries and quick offence.



William Nylander, a quickly rising star in his own right, couldn’t take the pass in stride. Instead, he scrambled, flailed, and managed to sweep the puck right onto the stick of the charging Nazem Kadri.



Then, one-on-three in the Flames’ zone, Kadri ripped a far-side wrist shot past Brian Elliott.



The Leafs never turned back.



This was a spectacular, highlight-reel goal and not the sort of play that a coach draws up in practice. At least, not the version that includes two sprawling players leading to a one-on-three scoring chance. But...