maple leafs

Matthews ties Vaive’s goal record in win over Tampa; Leafs vs. Panthers

Apr 5, 2022 • 12:05 pm

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The Toronto Maple Leafs checked off another regular-season challenge, with an impressive 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Monday, as Auston Matthews tied Rick Vaive’s club record for most goals in a season with a hat trick.

Pierre Engvall, Alex Kerfoot, and Mitch Marner also scored for Toronto, and Jack Campbell made 32 saves in his best outing since mid-February, as the Leafs pulled two points ahead of the two-time Stanley Cup Champions in sole possession of second place in the Atlantic Division.

“Getting the 50 goals, that in itself is a milestone for him and then no hesitation he’s onto the next thing which is the next game and the next challenge. I think his focus remains on leading this team and that’s the best part about him, he just stays humble and continues to work,… Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of his leading scorer after the game. “(Auston) knows he’s a great player and knows that goals are going to come, it’s just part of what he does for our club, but he’s leading our team in lots of different ways and that’s what I’m most excited about, but no doubt the accomplishment of tying that record here and doing it so convincingly here on the road against a team like this and just around the corner from getting the 55th is pretty outstanding.…

One of the more encouraging signs was the performance of Campbell, who made a number of excellent stops, including a sprawling save on Corey Perry late in the first period to keep the game tied until the Leafs offense kicked into gear in the middle frame.

Toronto does not have much time to savor the victory over a potential first-round opponent, as they play the second of back-to-back games against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida on Tuesday.

The Leafs beat the Panthers 5-2 in their first meeting on March 27 with Petr Mrazek in goal, but with Campbell starting on Monday, backup Erik Kallgren will be between the pipes against the East’s top squad. Defenseman Jake Muzzin was activated off of long-term injured reserve on Tuesday, which likely means the veteran blueliner will dress for his first time since February 21.

The interesting decision for Keefe is which blueliner will sit in place of Muzzin. Based on the quality of play, it should be Justin Holl, who failed to clear the front of the net on Jan Rutta’s tying goal, but with the possibility that the Leafs want to reunite Holl with Muzzin, the odd man out may be Timothy Liljegren, who was +3 in 17:29 vs. the Lightning.

The status of William Nylander will likely be a game-time decision, which could mean Jason Spezza will return to the lineup after sitting on Monday.

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