The Toronto Maple Leafs have been riding the offense of John Tavares and the inspiration Auston Matthews is getting from him in the early season.
On Tuesday night in Dallas, Matthews and Tavares each struck for two goals in a 7-4 thumping of the Stars.
“When it’s going in, it’s always a really good feeling,” Matthews said. “You want to keep it going, keep getting those opportunities and continue to generate chances because it’s going to get harder and harder as the season goes along.”
Matthews has seven goals and 10 points on the season and Tavares has added six goals.
“We’ve got talent and we do the right thing and we compete and play hard and develop an identity within our group,” said Tavares, who had a hat trick against Chicago. “I think we believe in creating opportunities with the skill sets we have.”
The Leafs are averaging five goals a game through the first four games.
Ron Hainsey and Mitchell Marner also scored for the Leafs.
“I don’t think it really surprises too many people. His (Matthews) shot is deadly. He’s always putting himself in a position to shoot the puck. He’s always moving out there and getting in open space,” Marner said after the game.
Frederik Andersen made 30 saves to pick up the win.
Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, Jamie Benn, and John Klingberg scored for the Stars.
“Obviously, there was a couple of too many turnovers, but I think they scored from being more hungry in front of the net than we were, and that’s on our D; myself, [Lindell], we were on the ice for too many goals, and obviously the forwards coming back as well,” Klingberg said. “That’s where I think they scored their goals.”
Connor Brown added an empty-net goal to close out the scoring.
“I thought our team competed real hard at the start especially, and I thought we had a pretty solid third period,” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said. “A good night for our team. Obviously, both power plays were real, real dangerous, we had to be disciplined, but a good win for our team.”
[WATCH:Â All Maple Leafs vs. Stars highlights]
Ben Bishop made 23 saves in the loss.
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