Samsonov makes 30 saves, Maple Leafs shut out Blue Jackets
Ilya Samsonov made 30 saves for his third shutout of the season, and John Tavares scored twice when the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0 at Nationwide Arena on Friday.
Pierre Engvall scored and Mitch Marner assisted on both Tavares goals for the Maple Leafs (32-13-8) in their first game since Feb. 1.
Joonas Korpisalo made 38 saves for the Blue Jackets (15-33-4), who have lost four straight. They have one win in their past six games (1-3-2). It was Columbus’ first game since Jan. 31.
The Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs play in Toronto on Saturday.
Tavares made it 1-0 at 5:45 of the first period on the power play. Marner skated down the slot then passed to his right where Tavares controlled the puck and lifted a backhander over Korpisalo.
Engvall increased the lead to 2-0 at 7:49 of the third period, scoring his 11th goal on a one-timer from the right circle after a cross-ice pass by Morgan Rielly.
Tavares scored at 8:38 to make it 3-0 with a wrist shot from the slot. He has 23 goals.
Friday night lineup@JackpotCityCA | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/hsfSF8odSR
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 10, 2023
LEAFS WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWIN!!@LGCanada | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/RCpxQDUit2
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 11, 2023
Ilya Samsonov turned aside all 30 shots he faced to backstop the @MapleLeafs to victory at Nationwide Arena in their first game since #NHLAllStar break.#NHLStats: https://t.co/NDnsjo92bT pic.twitter.com/qN1D6qap0u
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 11, 2023