Matthews lifts Leafs past Islanders

With the score tied late in the third period, Auston Matthews saw an opening and got himself in position. And when he got the puck from William Nylander, he was able to knock in the winning goal.

Matthews deflected Nylander's pass in front with just under four minutes remaining to lift the playoffbound Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-4 victory over the New York Islanders on Friday night.

“Very good forecheck by (Zach) Hyman to free the puck up and I was able to sneak in there backdoor,” Matthews said. “It was good for (Nylander) to see that play and make it, so great for both those guys to create space, get the puck and I just tapped it.”

It was Matthews' 31st goal of the season and broke the fourth tie of the game.

“A good two points for us,” he said. “Probably not a fun game for coaches but more a fun game for the players.”

Mitch Marner and Nazem Kadri each had a goal and an assist, and Nikita Zaitsev and James van Riemsdyk also scored for Toronto. Frederik Andersen stopped 29 shots to help the Maple Leafs win for the eighth time in 10 games and extend a franchise record with their 47th win.

Toronto, which clinched a post-season berth when Florida lost in overtime at Ottawa on Thursday night, is all but locked into third place in the Atlantic Division.

Anthony Beauvillier had a goal and an assist, and Johnny Boychuk, Brock Nelson and John Tavares also scored for the Islanders.