The Toronto Maple Leafs achieved a decisive 6-2 win over the Calgary Flames on St. Patrick’s Day. The win gave the team a much-needed boost after their recent struggles. Auston Matthews led his team by scoring two goals and adding an assist, but the team’s power play was also on fire, converting two of two chances. Toronto’s special teams were crucial, as they also successfully killed all penalties, further solidifying a dominant performance.
Max Domi also put up a strong game, and Mitch Marner’s playmaking was key in setting up chances. Marner set up William Nylander’s goal to give him 60 assists in a season for the fourth time in his career. With that milestone, he passes Borje Salming for the most 60-plus assist seasons in franchise history.
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The Maple Leafs were in control from the opening puck drop. They maintained intensity throughout the game—even in the third period when the outcome was already a given. With the win, the Maple Leafs remain bunched up with the two Florida teams. They are tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning with 83 points with 67 games played and two points behind the Florida Panthers, (the Maple Leafs and Lightning each have one game in hand.) That means if the Lighting and the Maple Leafs win their next games, the Atlantic Division will be tied with 68 games played. That’s tight.
Item One: Is Auston Matthews Back?
Matthews was back to his dominant self last night and one can only hope this is a return to his goal-scoring form. How good was he on the night? The numbers don’t lie. Matthews scored two power-play goals and added an assist, leading the team with five shots on goal, three blocked shots, and a dominant 13-of-17 showing in the faceoff circle. His all-around, on-ice leadership helped snap the Maple Leafs’ rough 1-4-1 stretch. Surprisingly, it was the Maple Leafs’ first win by more than one goal in the past 10 games.
Matthews took what head coach Craig Berube said to heart. He set the tone early, showing the competitiveness and work ethic that coach Berube highlighted as key to his leadership. Matthews’ energy was infectious and amped up his team’s play. It was the first time in 17 games he had scored more than once, and it finally broke him out of a slump where he had only four goals. His game-changing performance reminded fans…
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