Matthews returns with bang against the Habs

MONTREAL — It took Auston Matthews only two periods to get into his groove.

The Maple Leafs star centre, who retuned after missing four games with an upper-body injury, scored twice in the third period as Toronto routed the rival Montreal Canadiens, 6-0, in National Hockey League action behind a second straight shutout from goalie Frederik Andersen on Saturday night.

Matthews’ first goal, when he was left alone in front to take a pass from Mitch Marner and score, chased starting goalie Charlie Lindgren at 8:59 of the third frame.

His second of the game, a rocket wrist shot to the top corner from the left circle on a rush, gave backup goalie Antti Niemi no chance.

“It feels good to be back,” said Matthews. “I didn’t feel too hot out there the first two periods but I think it’s all part of coming back and not playing in four games. There’s obviously room for improvement, but coming into this building, it’s not going to be easy. A big win tonight for sure. Our goalie was unbelievable again.”

The Canadiens controlled most of the play in the opening 20 minutes, outshooting Toronto 16-6, but couldn’t beat Andersen, who was coming off a 42-save shutout in a 1-0 win over New Jersey.

Goals 37 seconds apart by Ron Hainsey and Nazem Kadri in the second period and tallies in the third by James van Riemsdyk and Connor Brown put the game away for Toronto (14-7-0). Matthews’ late goals were icing on the cake as the Leafs stretched their winning streak to six games.

Montreal (8-11-2) is winless in its last three games. After playing 10 of their first 15 games on the road, the Canadiens hoped to catch up on home ice but ended their six-game homestand at 2-3-1.

Lindgren allowed five goals (on 27 shots) for a second game in a row and was replaced by Niemi, who conceded a goal on four shots in his first action since he was claimed off waivers this week.

“We had a good performance in the first half but we collapsed in the second period,” said Montreal coach Claude Julien.

“The score line says it all,” he added.

Toronto coach Mike Babcock juggled his lines after the first period and it worked. That included putting Matthews and Marner together (along with Matt Martin), a combination that has not always been effective. Marner assisted on both Matthews goals.

“It went well,” said Matthews. “We’ve got so many good players on our team, so many skilled guys that can make plays.

Andersen had just made a smart glove save on Brendan Gallagher from the slot when the Leafs opened the scoring at 12:07. Hainsey got his first of the season with a shot from the point that Lindgren lost behind van Riemsdyk’s screen.

Kadri scored on Toronto’s next shot, a hard wrister.