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The Toronto Maple Leafs are on a roll going into the postseason after a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Newark on Tuesday. The win was the Leafs sixth in the seven games and third in a row, and head coach Sheldon Keefe gave a number of players a rest in the second of back-to-back games.
Auston Matthews continued his pursuit of 70 goals with a third period tally for #66, Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice, Nick Robertson, and Mark Giordano scored for Toronto, and Joseph Woll made 18 saves for the victory. The Leafs kept pace with the Florida Panthers in their race for second place in the Atlantic. The Panthers shutout Ottawa 2-0 and are three points ahead of Toronto, but the Leafs have a game in hand.
“Once the second period began offensively. I thought we were fine defensively in the first period, too, but offensively, we had to get way more pace in our game. Once we found our legs, it was very apparent. (The Matthews) line really led the charge in that way.” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game.
In the quest to lock down a roster spot for the playoffs, rookie Matthew Knies and winger Nick Robertson had good performances. Knies drew two New Jersey penalties in the first period and Robertson scored his 13th of the season.
I thought Knies was outstanding tonight in all periods. I loved his game. He was physically dominant. He was on the puck. He was quick.They couldn’t handle him tonight. That is a really positive sign.” Keefe said. “When he comes in and out of the lineup, at times, you can overthink things, but when you really zoom out, Nick has had a terrific season here. He has stayed healthy, contributed, learned a lot, and taken more out of this season than probably all of his others combined.”
The Leafs return home for a pair of games against New Jersey and Detroit on Thursday and Saturday, before heading to Florida for the last two games against the Panthers and Lightning next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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