One of the most important storylines in this game was a defensive one: Nazem Kadri and his linemates Leo Komarov and Nikita Soshnikov shut down Alexander Ovechkin's line very effectively. The Leafs carried much of the play even when "The Great Eight" was on the ice, which gave the rest of the Leafs' forwards the opportunity to work against lesser competition. Kadri had a beautiful goal, even if Backstorm had one late in the game with Ovi on the ice.
The second most important storyline was that Mitchell Marner was Mitchell Marner.