Tavares scores 2 more, Maple Leafs top Kings to take lead in Atlantic
John Tavares scored twice in the third period, including the go-ahead goal with 7:56 remaining, and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
Tavares extended his goal streak to five games (eight goals).
“Our special teams, you know, PK and power play got us a goal each,” Toronto coach Craig Berube said. “That’s the difference in the game.”
Auston Matthews had a short-handed goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs (44-25-4), who are 5-1-1 in their past seven games. Anthony Stolarz made 35 saves.
“I thought we just stayed patient,” Matthews said. “They’re a really good team, especially here at home, and we didn’t get frustrated. We just continued to push, continued to work.”
Toronto moved into first place in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of both the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Florida has a game in hand.
Alex Laferriere scored, and Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves for the Kings (40-23-9), who had won nine of 11 and had their franchise-record 15-game home point streak end (12-0-3).
Los Angeles had not lost in regulation at home since Jan. 20 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“You can look at that game and say that’s kind of a playoff-style hockey game,” Laferriere said. “It’s a team that’s up at the top of the leaderboard in the League, so it’s a team we can match up against, and if a couple bounces go our way, we’re winning that game.”
The Kings remained two points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers, who host the Calgary Flames Saturday, for second in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles has a game in hand.
Laferriere gave Los Angeles a 1-0 lead at 1:57 of the second period. He built up speed off the rush, getting past Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit down the side boards and around the right circle to score on a backhand from the top of the crease.
Matthews tied it 1-1 on the penalty kill 55 seconds into the third period with a wrist shot from the right circle. It was Matthews’ second career short-handed goal; he got his first in a 7-3 win at the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 18.
“Pretty incredible how he can play all facets of the ice and the game,” Toronto defenseman Brandon Carlo said. “Some of the moves he was making out there tonight, sitting on the bench and just enjoying watching the show. But the way that he can go out there and continue to block shots and do things like that, get the puck 200 feet, to find all-around players like that are very special. Not many can do as much as he can on both sides of the ice.”
The goal was upheld after the Kings unsuccessfully challenged that Matthews had played the puck with a high stick in the buildup following a save of his initial short-handed breakaway.
“It’s close, it’s close,” Berube said. “Very close.”
Tavares put the Maple Leafs ahead 2-1 at 12:04 during a 4-on-3 power play, sweeping in Matthews’ rebound from the right post.
“He’s been so good for us all year, but especially as of late since the 4 Nations (Face-Off), just a little extra pop in his step,” Matthews said of Tavares. “He’s another big-time player, so tonight was another big effort, another big game from him.”
Toronto was 1-for-4 on the power play; Los Angeles was 0-for-3.
“They got skill everywhere, so you don’t want to give them those looks,” Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson said. “We, for the most part, did a pretty good job, but they found a way to score and, ultimately that’s the difference.”
Tavares scored an empty-net goal at 18:35 for the 3-1 final.
He was most pleased with how the Maple Leafs defended throughout the game.
“I just liked the way we clogged the middle of the ice, and I thought we defended real well,” Tavares said. “Tonight, I think it certainly was evident, but I think it’s really been there over the last number of games, just the effort to block shots and be in lanes and get sticks on things and desperation.”
