In Toronto, Auston Matthews scored twice in the first period on Saturday, and the Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 3-2.
“I just think that [the playoff berth] is the next step,” Matthews said. “This season has been continued progression for us and I think this last segment or so, we’ve been playing some pretty good hockey and we just want to keep that going.”
Matthews has 58 goals on the season.
Erik Kallgren made 24 saves in the Leafs win.
“It’s a great accomplishment for our team and with 10 games left, it’s a sign you’ve had an excellent regular season,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We’ve been preparing and acting, feeling as though we’re a playoff team for a long period of time now but certainly to have that official speaks to the process and the work that the guys have put in to this point. And also it just allows us to zoom in and focus even more so on making sure that our game is ready and our team is prepared when the time comes.”
Montreal’s Joel Edmundson scored for the Habs in the middle frame to cut the Leafs lead to 2-1.
Toronto’s John Tavares hit for the eventual game-winner in the third period, his strike gave the Leafs a 3-1 lead.
The Canadiens’ Cole Caufield scored late in the third period to make it 3-2 for the final.
“When the second one goes in, (Jason) Spezza turned around (on the bench) and gave me the eyes like there’s something special here and no doubt, it’s fun,” Keefe said. “I’m surprised he stopped too to be honest with the way he was playing, it felt like he was going to have a serious night. But he was great tonight. For him to establish the (Toronto record for goals in a season) and come back home here, he’s clearly not satisfied so he’s continuing to push himself and our team.”
The Maple Leafs improved to .47-19-6
“We came out a little slow, a little sloppy and obviously they capitalized on the turnovers there on the second goal,” the Canadiens’ Josh Anderson said. “I thought we played pretty good later on in the first period and then carried over to the game and we had some big kills there that kept us in the game and when Montembeault came in, he played phenomenal and gave us a chance to win.”
Montreal dropped to 20-41-11.
Jake Allen made 14 saves in the Canadiens loss.
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