By Stephen Johns

Given his flair for the dramatic, it seemed almost inevitable that Mats Sundin would cap his return to Toronto with a game-winning goal. He did exactly that, scoring the shootout winner as his new team, the Vancouver Canucks, came from behind to beat the Maple Leafs 3–2. A scattering of boos accompanied Sundin throughout the game—but a first period video montage of Sundin’s Maple Leaf career allowed the fans to applaud their former captain, and they seized the opportunity. By the end of it, Sundin was on the brink of tears; then, as he’s tended to do throughout his NHL career, he saved his best for last, beating Vesa Toskala with a perfect backhander for the winner. Seldom has a Leaf loss felt so sweet.