The visiting Canadians led with both 2–0 and 3–1, where the Swedish star was credited with an assist on the second and third goals. But the home team caught up – through three goals in the second period, Florida could both reduce, equalize, and take the lead.
In the third, the visitors equalize and then fought hard to hold off in the final minutes when the team was hit by an unfortunately timed penalty.
But the final jubilation belonged to Florida when Brad Marchand decided the game more than 15 minutes into overtime.
We fought hard to create an opportunity to win in overtime. But we didn't have the margins on our side this time, said Toronto's two-goal scorer John Tavares to AP after the game.
Toronto still leads the match series, which is decided in best of seven, with 2–1.
Beyond that, Nylander can console himself with the fact that after tonight's harvest, he is tied for first place in the playoff scoring league with 15 points. He shares first place with Mikko Rantanen, whose Dallas suffered a loss in the second quarterfinal against Winnipeg, ending 4–0.
Winnipeg–Dallas: 1–1
Vegas–Edmonton: 0–2
Florida–Toronto: 1–2
Washington–Carolina: 1–1
