Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson and his brother, Nicholas Robertson, who plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs, were photographed together before a game in Dallas. The Maple Leafs claimed a 5-3 victory on December 18, 2024. The photo was taken by Michael Ainsworth of The Associated Press.
The Toronto Maple Leafs edged past the Dallas Stars 5-3 in a thrilling match Wednesday night, with Nicholas Robertson stealing the spotlight. Facing off against his older brother Jason Robertson, Nicholas played a pivotal role by scoring the go-ahead goal and assisting another, sealing a memorable night for Toronto fans.
The game began with Dallas taking an early lead as Sam Steel fired a shot over Joseph Woll’s shoulder just 5:14 into the match. However, Toronto quickly equalized with Max Domi's strike less than a minute later. The first period ended on an even note, setting the stage for an intense second period.
Nicholas Robertson’s game-changing moment came early in the second period. Just 16 seconds after William Nylander tied the game with his first of the night, Robertson found the back of the net with an unassisted goal, pushing Toronto ahead 3-2. Not stopping there, he also assisted Bobby McMann’s goal later in the period, bringing Toronto's tally to four goals from just eight shots. McMann’s goal came with Jason Robertson on the ice, adding a personal twist to the sibling rivalry.
Dallas’s goaltender Jake Oettinger had a tough outing, conceding four goals on his 26th birthday. After the rough second period, he was replaced by Casey DeSmith for the third period. Meanwhile, Joseph Woll delivered a stellar net performance for the Maple Leafs, stopping 38 shots and helping his team secure their fourth win in five games.
William Nylander continued his remarkable season with two goals, including an empty-netter late in the game. His second goal, Toronto’s fifth, came moments after Dallas attempted to mount a comeback with an extra attacker. Colin Blackwell had earlier scored for the Stars to close the gap, but Nylander’s insurance goal dashed their hopes.
Dallas struggled on the power play despite its valiant efforts, failing to capitalize on all four opportunities. Veteran Jamie Benn achieved a milestone by playing his 1,143rd game, surpassing Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Modano for the most games played for the Stars since
