Matthews sparks Leafs
STAR CENTRE PUTS UP THREE POINTS IN RETURN TO LINEUP
Auston Matthews says the last month has been torture watching his Toronto Maple Leafs.
The team’s star centre jumped right back in the action without missing a beat Wednesday.
Matthews had two goals and an assist in his return to the lineup after missing 14 games with a shoulder injury as the Leafs defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-3 for their third straight victory.
“It kind of just eats away at you,” Matthews said of his time on the shelf. “Watching what we’ve been able to do the last month, we’ve played pretty exceptional at times.”
The 21-year-old was exceptional himself early with a goal and an assist on two power plays before adding the exclamation point on a thirdperiod deflection as Toronto pulled even with the surprising Buffalo Sabres atop the NHL’s overall standings.
In between, however, Matthews didn’t think he was all that impressive in his first game back playing on a line with speedsters Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson.
“After the first I felt terrible,” Matthews said. “The second period, I didn’t feel too good and then in the third period I got my legs.”
John Tavares, with two, and Patrick Marleau also scored for Toronto (18-8-0), while Mitch Marner added three assists as the Leafs went 3 for 4 on the power play against the league’s best penalty-killing unit.
Frederik Andersen made 38 saves to improve to 8-2-0 over his last 10 starts. Johnsson had two assists.
Tomas Hertl, Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson replied for San Jose (12-9-5), which dropped to 1-2-2 over its last five.
“I don’t think we’re close,” said Sharks centre Logan Couture, who set up two goals. “We show spurts and signs that we’re capable (of playing with the best in the league), but we haven’t put together an effort against a top-quality team.”
Aaron Dell made 24 stops as No. 1 goalie Martin Jones got the night off following the Sharks’ 3-2 overtime loss to Buffalo on Tuesday.
“You’re not going to win on the road giving up two powerplay goals, (let alone) three,” San Jose head coach Peter DeBoer said. “Our attention to detail on the penalty kill is as good as anybody in the league. “It wasn’t tonight.” Matthews suffered the shoulder injury after taking a clean hit early in the Leafs’ 3-2 victory over the Jets on Oct. 27. He stormed out of the gate with 10 goals and six assists through seven games this season, but was held off the scoresheet in three consecutive outings before getting hurt.
The Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year in 2016-17, Matthews was sidelined a total of 20 games last season thanks to three separate injuries, including the same problem with his right shoulder.
Matthews made an immediate impact Wednesday, taking a pass from Marner and finding Tavares at the edge of the crease on a power play for his 16th goal of the season at 3:38.
Red Wings 4, Blues 3
Tyler Bertuzzi broke a tie with 6:53 to go with his second goal of the game and Detroit held on to beat St. Louis after blowing a 3-0 lead.
Bertuzzi put in a loose puck from just outside the crease for his eighth goal of the season.
Thomas Vanek had a goal and an assist, Andreas Athanasiou also scored, defenceman Mike Green had two assists and Jimmy Howard made 33 saves to help Detroit snap a three-game losing streak.
David Perron scored twice for St. Louis. The Blues have lost five of their last six.
Ducks 3, Panthers 2
Nick Ritchie broke a tie with 1:28 left with his second goal of the game, John Gibson made 42 saves and Anaheim beat Florida.
Ritchie grabbed a loose puck in front and beat goalie James Reimer to the right side.
Josh Manson also scored to help the Ducks win for the fourth time in five games. Evgenii Dadonov and Aaron Ekblad scored for Florida.