Matthews has goal, assist for Maple Leafs in victory against Senators
via NHL.com
Auston Matthews scored his 42nd goal to move into a tie for the NHL lead, and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-2 at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday.
“What was important was trying to get out to a lead quick,” Matthews said. “Just trying to build off that. … We just stuck with it, even when they made a push. We played back in their end and had some chances.”
Jake Muzzin and William Nylander scored for the Maple Leafs (31-20-8), who are 2-1-1 in their past four games and 3-3-1 in their past seven.
Jack Campbell made 25 saves to improve to 3-0-1 since being acquired in a trade from the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 5.
“[Campbell] was great for us,” Matthews said. “He made some huge saves. You just see him in there, he’s having so much fun. He just loves to compete, loves to battle for the guys, and he came up with some big saves.”
Cody Goloubef scored his first NHL goal in more than four years for the Senators (19-28-11), who are 1-5-2 in their past eight games.
“A lot of positives to take out of that game,” said Ottawa forward Connor Brown, who scored in the second period. “I think we had our fair share of chances to win that thing. Obviously, they’re a talented team, they put pucks away when they have their chances. But for the most part, we’re going in the right direction from a team identity point of view and from a work ethic point of view.”
Craig Anderson made the save on all 14 shots he faced in relief of Marcus Hogberg, who allowed three goals on 16 shots.
“I don’t think it’s on [Hogberg] at all,” Senators coach D.J. Smith said. “I just think pucks found their way in, a couple of bad bounces, and I just thought it was a time to change the momentum for us, more than it was a pull because he didn’t have it going.”
They said it
“[Jake Muzzin] is the man. He’s such a leader and brings it every night. I was so upset when we traded him in L.A. … I just missed him. He just adds a great element to this really solid team, and we’ve just got to keep it going.” — Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell on his teammate with the Kings
“He’s been a great soldier. He’s worked hard every day. He’s kept a great attitude when he goes through long stretches of not playing. I thought he gave us good shifts for the ones he had tonight.” — Senators coach D.J. Smith on defenseman Cody Goloubef
Need to know
Matthews reached 70 points in 59 games, the fastest by a Maple Leafs player since Mats Sundin in 1996-97 (57 games). He has 71 points, two shy of his NHL career high (73 in 68 games last season). … Senators forward Anthony Duclair has gone 20 games without a goal.
What’s next
Maple Leafs: At the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, SN, MSG-B, NHL.TV)
Senators: Host the Dallas Stars on Sunday (6 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN5, FS-SW, NHL.TV)
Jack Campbell is the 12th goaltender to record at least one point in each of his first 4+ regular-season appearances with the @MapleLeafs. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/ndZtK1iQBL
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 16, 2020
Doubled up the Senators.
Check out tonight's @OntarioLottery Game Winning Numbers. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/cxee9y39O3
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 16, 2020
Lots of love for Jack 👏#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/M0Bu89FO2T
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 16, 2020