In Toronto, Auston Matthews scored twice, including his 38th goal of the season, in a 5-1 win for the Maple Leafs over the Vancouver Canucks.
“Despite a tough first period by our group, I thought the second and third we really strung along together some really good shifts,” Matthews said. “I just think good play all around from all four lines.”
Jack Campbell made 26 saves in the win.
“Our team really just recognized that it was time to really dial in the details of our game both offensively and defensively,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “I think there’s been a real shift there for us. Anytime we’ve had breakdowns, our goaltending has been excellent as well. Today we were not very good at all through two periods, but in the third, our team regrouped and made the decision we were going to take care of the game and it was going to remain in our control.”
Tanner Pearson was the lone goal scorer for the Canucks.
“You can tell by how hard they’re playing that they want to win badly,” Canucks head coach Travis Green said. “It’s a good hockey team over there. It’s two of our better periods (in the first and second) that we’ve probably played coming out of COVID, and they’ll be disappointed that they lost, that’s for sure. That’s the nature of the beast, you should be.”
After the Canucks took a 1-0 lead, Matthews scored his two goals to erase the deficit for a 2-1 lead.
“We wanted to come up with at least a win on this road trip and it is disappointing,” the Canucks’ Bo Horvat said. “At the same time, we can’t dwell on it and just say we’re going to pack it in. We got to still come to the rink and be willing to play these last 11 games and play hard. I mean, we’re not out of it until we’re mathematically out of it, and as long as you still have a chance we’ve got to come to the rink every single day and play hard.”
Adam Brooks and Alex Galchenyuk scored for the Leafs to make the score 4-1.
“Wow, it’s unbelievable. He’s definitely a one-of-a-kind player,” Galchenyuk said of Matthews. “To see the way he shoots the puck and makes plays, it’s tremendous. It’s fun to watch him.”
Joe Thornton potted an empty-net goal late in the third to ice the win.
“The boys (Spezza and Thornton) are buzzing, they bring so much energy every single day,” Marner said of the forwards, who are 37 and 41 years old. “You wouldn’t think they’re two of the older guys on the team. It’s been a blast playing with them, they bring energy every day and have done a lot for our team, being able to play in multiple spots in the lineup. Both guys have been huge for our team.”
Thatcher Demko made 25 saves in the loss.
“You’ve got to give their team some credit,” Green said. “They’ve got a say in what goes on on the ice too. I thought they came out and played well. Did we tire? I’m not sure. We’re trying to spread the minutes out as best we can. Obviously there’s a lot of good players on their team, and you’re not going to get the matchups when you’re on the road, but we’re trying to be conscious of it.”
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