The Toronto Maple Leafs snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 on Saturday. The victory was bolstered by a team-leading 11th goal of the season from Auston Matthews, and contributions from William Nylander and Teddy Blueger, each of whom recorded a goal and an assist. Zack MacEwen also scored for the Leafs, who wrapped up a four-game road trip with two wins and two losses, improving their record to 8-6-2.
The Canucks, struggling to find their form, have now won only one of their last 13 games, dropping their season record to 3-12-1. Brock Boeser managed to score during a power play, while Max Sasson also found the back of the net for the Canucks. Canucks goaltender Leevi Merilainen made a total of 24 saves in the loss.
Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz was instrumental in their victory, stopping 26 shots and even contributing an assist on Blueger’s empty net goal. The game became more competitive early in the third period when Sasson scored off a rebound from Brendan Gallagher's shot, narrowing the gap to just one goal.
Matthews put the Leafs ahead 2-1 at 3:47 of the second period, scoring with a clever backhand shot after a quick exchange with defenceman Darren Raddysh. Shortly thereafter, MacEwen extended the Leafs' lead to two goals at the 12:34 mark during a chaotic scramble in front of the net.
The opening period saw each team score on breakaways. Nylander initiated the scoring just 83 seconds into the game by retrieving a puck that deflected off Canucks defenceman Jamie Oleksiak's stick. He quickly skated in alone and elevated the puck over Merilainen's shoulder in an impressive backhand move. Approximately nine minutes later, Boeser equalized for the Canucks, receiving a long pass from Filip Hronek and successfully beating Stolarz after getting behind the Toronto defense on a power play.
TAKEAWAYS
For the Canucks, goaltender Merilainen showcased his skills by denying rookie Gavin McKenna during a power play early in the first period. Additionally, centre Jacob Quillan, acquired on October 15, made a debut appearance after being recalled from the AHL's Abbotsford to fill in for the injured Filip Chytil. Notably, centre Elias Pettersson’s six-game point streak ended, during which he had recorded 2 goals and 5 assists.
The Maple Leafs saw Roslovic earn an assist on Matthews' goal, extending his personal point streak to six games with 3 goals and 7 assists during that span. The Leafs have historically struggled in Vancouver, with only 28 wins in the last 86 meetings. Toronto welcomed back former Canuck defenceman Chris Tanev, who returned from an upper-body injury, and forward Dakota Joshua, playing in his first game of the season after a core injury. Blueger, also a former Canuck, made his return to Vancouver as a Leaf after signing a two-year contract.
KEY MOMENT
While McEwen was awarded Toronto's third goal, video replays indicated that the goal might have been deflected by Morgan Rielly's shot after striking Merilainen's glove and then hitting defenceman Luke Schenn, rolling into the net.
KEY STAT
Auston Matthews has been in impressive form, notching points in six of his last seven games, contributing 5 goals and 5 assists during this stretch.
UP NEXT
The Maple Leafs will face the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday, while the Canucks will host the Anaheim Ducks on the same day.
