Matthews scores two to help Maple Leafs stay hot
Scores in seventh straight game, Toronto extends point streak to seven
Auston Matthews scored twice to extend his goal streak to seven games for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 5-1 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.
“We were just consistent throughout the whole game,” said Matthews, who has scored nine goals during his streak. “We didn’t have any big lapses. They had their chances, but we really stuck with our structure and forced them to the outside for a full 60 minutes, so I think it was a really solid game for us.”
Wayne Simmonds scored twice, Zach Hyman had a goal and an assist, and Mitchell Marner had three assists for the Maple Leafs (9-2-1), who have a seven-game point streak (6-0-1). Frederik Andersen made 27 saves.
“Vancouver had their pushes, but I did like our start, we knew that was going to be really important tonight,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We wanted to establish our game, and I thought we were able to do that. Vancouver pushed back pretty hard in the last seven or eight minutes of the first period, but we were able to extend our lead in the second, which was really important.”
Brock Boeser scored, and Braden Holtby made 26 saves for the Canucks (6-9-0), who have lost four in a row, including 7-3 to the Maple Leafs here Thursday.
“When you have a bad game you’ve got to come out flying and be ready to play right from the start,” Holtby said. “You never know if you’re going to win or lose. But you need a response, and we don’t have that yet. We’ve got to get on the same page. We’re a disconnected group right now and it’s showing. It’s frustrating. If we want to be a good team, we’ve got to have everyone pulling the same rope. And that’s what we work towards from now on.”
The teams play again here Monday to end the three-game set.
LEAFS WIN!
Victorious against Vancouver!#LeafsForever #FuelledByG @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/AeHXJi9kwB
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 7, 2021
Saturday night's alright, alright, alright
Check out tonight’s @OntarioLottery Game Winning Numbers. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/ypR7s1xidX
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 7, 2021
Auston Matthews is the first @MapleLeafs player to score at least one goal in seven consecutive games played since 1993-94, when Dave Andreychuk and Wendel Clark combined for the feat.
Only four different players in franchise history have had a longer such run. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/KQ7nLFkmOv
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 7, 2021
In continuing our support of women's hockey and commitment to growing the game, we are proud to announce a formal partnership with the @PWHPA today 🤝
Learn more about today's announcement ⬇️ https://t.co/DLOVptLYKF pic.twitter.com/eYVeHB8HYL
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 6, 2021