Matthews scores 55th, Maple Leafs ease past Flyers

PHILADELPHIA -- Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 6-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday.

Matthews' goal was his 55th, making him the first Maple Leafs player to score at least 55 goals multiple times in his career. He scored 60 in 2021-22.

His goal made it 4-1 at 4:45 of the third period. He tipped the puck away from Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway behind Toronto's net, and in transition he beat Noah Cates up the ice, got the puck back from Pontus Holmberg and scored off the rush.

It was his 40th even-strength goal. He is the only active player with multiple seasons with at least 40 even-strength goals (44 in 2021-22).

"Just trying to jump in that space, try to beat my guy up the ice, and 'Bergy' made a really great play," Matthews said. "Just patient with the puck and found me coming through the middle and I was able to just walk in all alone."

The defensive play before the goal is what stood out to Matthews' teammates.

"That goes to his defensive abilities," forward Tyler Bertuzzi said. "When you play a 200-foot game, that's when you get rewarded with those things, those offensive looks. His goal tonight, he was good in the defensive zone, and he busted all the way up the ice to get open for a half breakaway and scored. Defensive first and then his offense will always be there."

Holmberg, Bertuzzi, Timothy Liljegren and William Nylander each had a goal and an assist each for Toronto (38-19-8). Ilya Samsonov made 26 saves.

Owen Tippett and Tyson Foerster scored for Philadelphia (34-25-8). Felix Sandstrom made 12 saves on 15 shots after replacing Samuel Ersson, who allowed three goals on 12 shots in the first period. 

"Take our lessons from this one and move on," Flyers assistant Brad Shaw said.

Bertuzzi put the Maple Leafs ahead 1-0 at 2:01 of the first period when he tipped Matthews' shot from the right face-off circle.

Holmberg made it 2-0 at 9:57 when he scored from the slot after a puck bounced to him off the skate of Flyers forward Morgan Frost.

Liljegren made it 3-0 at 15:30 with a shot from just inside the blue line.

It was their NHL-leading eighth time the Maple Leafs had scored at least three first-period goals, and came in their first game since a 3-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

"We were on our toes," Bertuzzi said. "Everyone had a good first shift, and obviously to score three minutes into the game is big and get off to a good start."

Tippett made it 3-1 at 1:42 of the second period with a power-play goal from the right side.

After Matthews' goal made it 4-1 at 4:45, Nylander scored from the high slot to make it 5-1 at 4:53.

"One of our strengths this year has been our resilience mentally when a bad thing happened or a goal goes in the net," Shaw said. "We seem to be able to weather the storm and gather ourselves and get back on the attack. For whatever reason, they put another one in the net right away and it just feels like a bit of a tsunami coming. We've done such a good job of staying away from those scenarios previously throughout the year."

Matthew Knies scored to make it 6-1 at 9:00.

Foerster scored short-handed at 18:28 for the 6-2 final.

NOTES: Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok left the game with 13:37 remaining in the second period after appearing to slide shoulder-first into the boards chasing a puck. "Looks like he's going to miss some time, but we're not going to know the extent fully until we get back home," Keefe said. ... Samsonov matched a Maple Leafs record with his seventh straight road win, joining Jack Campbell (2020-21), Frederik Andersen (2018-19), Johnny Bower (1960-61) and Turk Broda (1940-41). ... The Maple Leafs have eight straight wins against the Flyers. ... Flyers coach John Tortorella served the second game of a two-game suspension for unprofessional conduct during the first period of Philadelphia's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. ... The eight seconds between goals by Matthews and Nylander tied for the Maple Leafs' fastest two goals this season. Jarnkrok and Mitchell Marner scored eight seconds apart against the Lightning on Nov. 6. ... Connor Dewar had an assist on Holmberg's goal for his first point with the Maple Leafs. The forward had been acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild on March 8.