The Toronto Maple Leafs extended their point streak to seven games with a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday, combining contributions from all four lines with a strong performance by goaltender Joseph Woll.
Sportsnet reported that Matthew Knies had two points, including the winning goal, while Auston Matthews scored his sixth goal in three games. The victory was Toronto’s second 4-1 win over Florida this season.
The game also gave Toronto fans a chance to celebrate Matthews’ place atop the franchise’s career goal-scoring list. Former captain Mats Sundin travelled from across the Atlantic for the pre-game tribute and joined the arena’s standing ovation.
Matthews then scored career goal No. 422 off a pass from Knies, adding to the record he had taken from Sundin.
Florida’s visit was its first trip back to Toronto since Game 7 of the teams’ playoff series. Against the defending champions, Leafs coach Craig Berube emphasized the need to meet Florida’s physical play and compete along the boards and in front of the net.
Berube said Toronto did that effectively over the first two periods, creating opportunities for odd-man rushes and breakaways. He also credited players throughout the lineup for contributing to the result.
Rookie Easton Cowan opened the scoring. Sportsnet described Cowan and Nick Robertson as continuing to play well on a third line centred by Nicolas Roy, while Knies delivered one of his stronger performances of the season.
Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz helped Toronto kill all three Florida power plays. Lorentz, a former Panther, also matched Matthews with a game-high four shots.
Max Domi fought Florida defenceman Aaron Ekblad during a physical game that featured 52 hits. Matthews praised Toronto’s forechecking and goaltending, describing that level of effort as necessary against difficult opponents.
Woll stopped 31 of the Panthers’ 32 shots to earn his seventh victory in his past 10 starts. The performance followed a stretch in which he had allowed eight goals over roughly a game and a half of work.
Knies pointed to the tight standings as a reason every win matters for Toronto. He also spoke positively about the team’s energy and preparation, crediting the entire lineup for matching Florida’s intensity from the outset.
The win continued Toronto’s run of collecting points as the club entered the second half of its season, with its latest result coming against an opponent that had ended its previous playoff run.
