2. Matthews uses pinpoint precision to extend Toronto's lead midway through first. Centre Auston Matthews put up his fourth multi-goal game of the season Monday in Toronto's 7-4 win over Anaheim, and although he didn't have a point in the Buds' 3-2 shootout victory over Nashville Wednesday, he got back on the scoresheet Saturday at the 9:25 mark of the first when he made an incredibly precise shot over Anderson's left shoulder and into the top of Ottawa's net. Matthews had nearly scored in the exact same spot on the same shift before successfully nailing his target for his team-leading 26th goal of the year.
Since he returned from an injury in late December, Matthews has put up 13 goals and 18 points, increasing his season total to 44 points in 47 games. That point total also is the best on Toronto's roster, and few are surprised to see him there. The second-year NHLer is as smooth and dangerous as they come in hockey's best league, and when he's set up in an open spot near the opposition's net - as he was when Nylander made a terrific backhand pass - there's little netminders can do to stop him.
3. Buds dominate first 20 minutes, take three-goal lead on Marner's second of the night.The Senators entered the game on a two-game win streak, but they've struggled mightily on the road this year, winning just seven of 25 games (7-14-4) away from Ottawa. And they looked like a team that wasn't engaged in the first 20 minutes of action, as the Leafs held them to just four shots in the first period while firing 14 on the Sens' net.
The Leafs also added a third goal in the first period, as Marner netted his second of the evening with 8:30 left before the first intermission. That goal led to Senators coach Guy Boucher replacing Anderson with Mike Condon between the pipes - a rare sight, as Anderson has made a habit of playing the Buds very tough. But there was no denying Marner after winger Patrick Marleau found him with a slick cross-ice pass that put him to the left of Anderson; he tapped the puck in, and registered his first multi-goal game of the season and the second of his NHL career.
4. Sens get on scoreboard midway through second, but Leafs strike back with power play marker.Ottawa was a better squad in the middle period and put pressure on the Leafs for short stretches. On one of those stretches, blueliner Johnny Oduya got some open ice deep in Toronto's zone, and his slap shot went over Andersen's shoulder cut the Leafs' lead to 3-1 at 8:32 of the second.
However, the Buds restored their three-goal advantage 5:19 later when James van Riemsdyk's power play marker - his 22nd goal of the year - made it 4-1 in the home team's favour. Marner had the primary assist on the scoring play, as he shot the puck from the goal line to the left of Condon, and van Riemsdyk - standing in front of the net - deflected it in for his second goal in as many games, and his third goal in his past five games.
5. Ottawa starts third period with a goal, but Kadri's goal - and Marner's fourth point - assures Leafs of third straight win.The Sens started the third period with another stretch of of high-pressure hockey and outshot Toronto 6-4 in the first eight minutes of the frame - and they registered their second goal at the 45-second mark of the period when blueliner Dion Phaneuf's shot was tipped past Andersen for his 14th goal of the year. But in the same way they did after Ottawa's first goal of the night, the Leafs responded with a goal of their own: this time, centre Nazem Kadri netted his 18th of the year at the 2:29 mark after he was set up by Marner. Ottawa scored one more time before the game ended - winger Ryan Dzingel chipped in with his 15th goal of the year with 6:28 left in regulation - but Marleau added an empty-net goal for his 18th of the year to seal the win.
The assist on Marleau's goal went to Marner, giving him five points to establish a new career high in single-game offensive production, breaking the career-best four point total he established Dec. 19 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a surge in his offensive totals since he was moved to a line with Kadri and Marleau, and he was one of the biggest reasons the Leafs extended their win streak to three games. Toronto's extended run at ACC continues Monday against the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning, and if the Leafs wish to remain unbeaten in this five-game home stand, another big night from Marner (or anyone, really) would be welcome.
