Leafs finally end their hex against Habs

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 14-game losing streak against their bitter rivals wasn’t exactly eating at Mike Babcock as he went about his day Saturday.

“You guys are making a way bigger deal of this than me,” the head coach said after the morning skate. “I just know we’re playing the Habs. They need two (points) and we need two. That’s it for me. I’m serious.”

Hours later, Babcock might have cracked a smile.

The Leafs beat the Canadiens for the first time since Jan. 18, 2014, getting an overtime goal from Auston Matthews to win 4-3 before a boisterous crowd at the Bell Centre. It was Toronto’s first win in Montreal since Oct. 1, 2013, and it came after the Canadiens dominated most of the third period, outshooting the Leafs 13-6. Babcock wanted his players to be a lot more engaged than they were in a loss to New Jersey Wednesday and at times they were.

But certainly not during the full 60 minutes and Toronto needed a terrific performance by Frederik Andersen to emerge with the victory.

Matthews got his second of the game when he took a pass from William Nylander and beat Carey Price 48 seconds into overtime. This after Matthews scored in overtime Oct. 9 against Chicago.

There were a couple of unusual occurrences in the second period, as there were reviews after two Leafs goals. One counted and one did not. A goal by Matthews at 11:14 immediately was waved off by referee Jon McIsaac as it was clear Matthews’ stick was high when he made contact with the puck.

The Canadiens responded to the non-goal 19 seconds later as Jonathan Drouin scored his first for Montreal when he re-directed a Karl Alzner pass/shot past Andersen.

The Leafs were not frustrated. At 12:40, Patrick Marleau was credited with his third goal in a Toronto uniform when he chopped away at the puck as it was uncovered in the crease. Originally waved off, a review confirmed the puck crossed the line completely and the game was tied 3-3.

Neither team could take momentum and control it in the opening 20 minutes as both clubs scored twice in an uneven period.

Jeff Petry scored on the Canadiens’ second shot of the game at 2:19.

The Leafs got a bit of a strange one at 7:32 when James van Riemsdyk scored off a faceoff as Price did not look properly set.