Matthews scores 50th goal in Leafs' victory

Auston Matthews scored his 50th goal of the season Wednesday night in the Toronto Maple Leafs star's hometown return in Tempe, Ariz., becoming the fastest NHL player to reach the mark in 28 years at 54 games.

The fastest U.S.-born player to reach 50, Matthews scored the milestone goal on a power play at 5:01 of the first period in a 6-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.

From nearby Scottsdale, Matthews scored on a shot from the circle to the left of goaltender Karel Vejmelka to make it 2-0. Mitchell Marner and Timothy Liljegren assisted on the goal that came with Michael Carcone in the penalty box for slashing.

Matthews added his 51st — giving him 350 career goals in 535 games — late in the second period for a 4-2 lead.

Matthews is the fastest to 50 since Mario Lemieux since it for Pittsburgh in 50 games in 1995-96. Wayne Gretzky hold the record, scoring his 50th in his 39th game for Edmonton in 198182 on his way to a record 92 goals.

FLYERS 3, BLACKHAWKS 1 >> Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim and Garent Hathaway scored, Samuel Ersson made 22 saves and Philadelphia won at Chicago. The Flyers are 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Chicago, last overall in the NHL, has lost 10 of 11.

Colin Blackwell scored for Chicago. Arvid Soderblom stopped 30 shots.

SABRES 3, CANADIENS 2 >> Alex Tuch scored shorthanded to break a secondperiod tie in Buffalo's victory at Montreal.

Zemgus Girgensons and Jeff Skinner also scored and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 29 saves to help the Sabres improve to 25-27-4. Skinner has 27 goals against the Canadiens, the secondmost among active players behind Alex Ovechkin (38).

Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble scored for Montreal and Sam Montembeault made 20 saves. Montreal has lost three straight and five of six to fall to 22-26-8.

Tuch scored with 1:52 left in the second period after a Canadiens power play that included three turnovers by Cole Caufield.