Toronto Maple Leafs Take The Shine Off Vegas Golden Knights 6-3

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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GAME SUMMARY         |           EVENT SUMMARY        |           FACEOFF SUMMARY

ON THE SCORESHEET

–       Andreas Johnsson opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs with a power play goal at 13:14 of the first period. Johnsson has points (1-1-2) in two consecutive games and nine points (5-4-9) over his last six games. He has 10 points (5-5-10) in 11 games against Pacific Division opponents this season.

–       Patrick Marleau scored the second Toronto goal of the night at 8:52 of the second period. Marleau has points (1-1-2) in two consecutive games. Eight of his 10 even-strength goals have come on the road this season.

–       Auston Matthews registered the primary assist on Marleau’s second period goal before scoring the third Maple Leafs goal of the game with a power play marker at 13:25 of the second period and later adding the fifth Maple Leafs goal of the night at 10:56 of the third period. Matthews’ first goal of the game was his 100th career NHL goal. He is the fourth-fastest player to reach the 100-goal mark in Toronto franchise history at 187 games (Babe Dye, 1923 – 86 GP, Reg Noble, 1922 – 112 GP, Charlie Conacher, 1933 – 162 GP). Tonight’s game is his eighth multi-goal and 17th multi-point game of the season. He has points (3-3-6) in two consecutive games.

–       Morgan Rielly registered the primary assist on Matthews’ second period goal and later scored the fourth Toronto goal of the night at 10:01 of the third period. Rielly has five points (2-3-5) over his last five games. He has seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in eight games during the month of February. Tonight’s game is his 14th multi-point game of the season.

–       Mitch Marner registered the primary assist on Rielly’s third period goal and later scored the sixth Toronto goal of the night while shorthanded at 16:33 of the third period. With the assist Marner has 48 assists on the season, which establishes a new career-high for assists in a season, surpassing his previous high of 47 set in 2017-18. Marner’s shorthanded goal is the first of his NHL career. Tonight’s game is his 21st multi-point game of the season.

–       Jake Gardiner recorded the primary assist on Johnsson’s first period goal. Gardiner has registered 15 of his 26 assists on the road this season. He has four assists in eight games during the month of February.

–       William Nylander collected the secondary assist on Johnsson’s first period goal. Nylander has assists (2) in two consecutive games. He has four points (1-3-4) in four games against Pacific Division opponents this season.

–       Kasperi Kapanen had the secondary assist on Marleau’s second period goal and later recorded the primary assist on Matthews’ third period goal. Kapanen has points (3-2-5) in three consecutive games. Of Kapanen’s 36 points this season, 22 (11-11-22) have come on the road. Tonight’s game is his fourth multi-assist and 11th multi-point game of the season.

–       Nazem Kadri picked up the secondary assist on Matthews’ second period goal. Kadri has points (2-1-3) in two consecutive games. He has recorded 13 of his 20 assists on the road this season. Kadri has two points (1-1-2) in two games against the Golden Knights in 2018-19.

–       John Tavares notched the secondary assist on Rielly’s third period goal. Tavares has assists (3) in two consecutive games. He has recorded nine points (3-6-9) over his last six games. In 28 road games this season, Tavares has registered 35 points (19-16-35).

–       Jake Muzzin had the secondary assist on Matthews’ third period goal and later picked up the secondary assist on Marner’s third period goal. Muzzin has four assists in five games against Vegas in 2018-19. Tonight’s game is his fourth multi-assist game of the season.

–       Connor Brown recorded the primary assist on Marner’s third period goal. The assist is Brown’s first career shorthanded assist and third career shorthanded point (2-1-3).

–       Frederik Andersen stopped 30 shots to earn the victory. The win is Andersen’s 98th as a Maple Leaf, which ties John Ross Roach for eighth on the franchise’s wins by a goaltender list.

SHOTS ON GOAL (5-on-5 in brackets)

SHOT ATTEMPTS (5-on-5 in brackets)

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

–       The Maple Leafs are 19-7-2 on the road this season.

–       Toronto’s all-time record is 3-1-0-0 in four games against the Golden Knights and 1-1-0-0 in two games played in Vegas.

–       Toronto is 15-7-0 against the Western Conference this season and 9-2-0 against the Pacific Division.

MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS

RECORD WHEN…

–       The Maple Leafs were 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 2-for-6 on the power play tonight. Toronto is 22-10-1 when not allowing a power play goal this season and 7-0-0 when scoring multiple power play goals.

–       Toronto is 3-0-0 when scoring a shorthanded goal.

–       Toronto is 26-5-1 when scoring the first goal of the game.

–       The Maple Leafs are 21-2-0 when leading after one period and 28-0-0 when leading after two periods.

–          Toronto is 14-9-0 when outshooting their opponent.

–          The Maple Leafs are 6-4-1 in Thursday games.

OF NOTE…

–          Frederik Gauthier and Par Lindholm were the lone Toronto skaters to not start a 5-on-5 shift in the offensive zone.

–          Ron Hainsey was on the ice for a team-high in Toronto shot attempts-for at 5-on-5 (23). Hainsey had a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 63.9 percent (23 for, 13 against).

–          Andreas Johnsson (leg) left tonight’s game and did not return.

–          William Nylander won 86 percent (6 won, 1 lost) of his offensive zone faceoffs.

UPCOMING GAMES:

–       Saturday, February 16, 7:00 p.m. at Arizona Coyotes (Hockey Night in Canada, FAN 590)

–       Tuesday, February 19, 8:00 p.m. at St. Louis Blues (Sportsnet Ontario, TSN 1050)

–       Thursday, February 21, 7:00 p.m. vs. Washington Capitals (TSN4, FAN 590)

–       Saturday, February 23, 7:00 p.m. vs. Montreal Canadiens (Hockey Night in Canada, FAN 590)

–       Monday, February 25, 7:00 p.m. vs. Buffalo Sabres (TSN4, TSN 1050)

POSTGAME QUOTES:

HEAD COACH MIKE BABCOCK

On tonight’s performance:

I just thought we played a good game, to be honest with you. We controlled the puck a ton, we spent a lot of time in their zone so we were able to draw penalties. It was nice to see the power play work and guys like to score so that’s a good thing. I thought we had a real good third too, as well. When the game seemed like it was slipping away, we were able to answer. It was a good night for our team.

On Auston Matthews hitting the 100-goal milestone:

I just think this last three games has been his best three games in a long time. He’s really skating and the more he skates, the more he has the puck and it goes in. Those things happen during the year where it comes and goes, but I thought he was dominant the last three games for us, really dominant. Obviously, the more dominant he is, suddenly John [Tavares]’ line is playing the way it is, you have two real dominant centres and it makes it hard for the other team. He’s got to be feeling good about himself and the way he’s playing.

On if there is an update on Johnsson’s status:

No. Obviously, we hope he’s okay. They’ll be doing everything precautionary, we’ll look at it tomorrow and see what goes on. Ennis is dying to get in anyway, I think.

FREDERIK ANDERSEN (30 SAVES)

On making key saves on dangerous chances:

Yeah, of course, you want to try to make good stops when they come your way. I thought we were playing really good so that’s just important times where they could have gained some momentum. I felt pretty good in there and we were able to score some big goals and answer their goals pretty well.

On Matthews’ performance tonight:

I didn’t really pay too much attention to his game, I was focused on myself. He has an incredible shot and just finds a way. It’s been pretty amazing to see over the last few years the way he can put them in the net. It’s a pleasure to play with him. 

PATRICK MARLEAU (1 GOAL)

​On Matthews’ two goal night:

I think he’s just playing the way he can play. He’s making those shots that goalies have a tough time with. Obviously, his quick release puts him at an advantage so just playing really well and putting himself in great spots. Playing well defensively as well, which leads to offensive chances.

On what he enjoys about playing with Matthews:

Just the way he can control the play in the offensive zone and then when he gets the puck in the D-zone you know he’s going to make a good play to get out of our zone and get ourselves on the offence.

AUSTON MATTHEWS (2 GOALS, 1 ASSIST)

On scoring his 100th career NHL goal:

Yeah, it’s special. I was talking to Shawn [McKenzie] a minute ago, I’ve been fortunate to play with a lot of really good players on any given night so it’s special. I feel very fortunate.

On playing in Las Vegas:

I like playing here. The two times we’ve been here the atmosphere has been unbelievable. The fans are into it. When you’re the opposing team it’s an easy game to get into when the crowd, the atmosphere, the music and everything is like it is. It’s like a big party so it’s fun to play in.

MORGAN RIELLY (1 GOAL, 1 ASSIST)

On tonight’s win and big third period after Vegas tied it up:

Yeah, we feel good about it. Close game going into the third, they score a big goal. I thought we responded well. This is a pretty cool place to play, pretty cool building to play in. We were excited to come in here. Obviously, we’re happy with the result but there are little things over the course of the game that we can take away as good signs and we’re looking forward to keeping this road trip going and hopefully we can keep playing well.

On what made them effective at even strength:

Well, I thought our forwards did a really good job of playing down low. We talk about playing off the cycle a lot and I thought that was on pretty good display tonight. I thought Hyman was outstanding, [Matthews] was too – drawing penalties that way as well which leads to offence on the power play so that was a big part of our game.