No let-up from rookies as Leafs edge nearer playoffs
DETROIT — The theory around the NHL is that rookies are supposed to wear down from the grind of the 82-game season. Apparently, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ young stars don’t subscribe to that.
Rookies scored four of Toronto’s goals in a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings and the Maple Leafs edged closer to their first playoff appearance since the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
Auston Matthews, who leads all NHL rookies with 38 goals and 66 points, scored twice, including the eventual game winner at 18:51 of the third period.
Mitch Marner and William Nylander also scored, as did veteran James van Riemsdyk, as Toronto improved to 10-2-1 in its last 13 games and moved into a second-place tie in the Atlantic Division with the Ottawa Senators.
“Those three have been difference makers for their whole lives, so they don’t know anything else,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said of Matthews, Nylander and Marner, who are Toronto’s top three scorers. “We trust them to do that for us, and we give them a lot of ice time to do it.”
While they are certainly aware of how close they are to booking a post-season berth, the Leafs also know there is work left to be done before that spot is assured.
“We all watch the standings, but there’s nothing to talk about yet,” Babcock said.
After Gus Nyquist gave the Wings a 1-0 first-period lead, the Leafs took over.
Matthews tied the game on a power play at the 2:56 mark of the second period, with a seeing-eye shot that found a small area on the short side to beat Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard.
“I didn’t think he had anything,” Howard said. “He’s got quick hands, he’s got a quick release, and he was able to find a small hole there.”
Marner scored on a breakaway and Nylander on a screenshot and the Leafs were ahead 3-1. TAMPA, Florida — Two days after clinching a playoff spot, the Montreal Canadiens virtually locked up a division title.
Alexander Radulov scored 51 seconds into overtime to lift the Canadiens to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
Phillip Danault also scored and Carey Price stopped 21 shots for the Atlantic Division-leading Canadiens, who hold an eight point advantage over Toronto and Ottawa entering the final week of the regular season.
The Canadiens were locked in Saturday after securing a postseason berth with a 6-2 win Thursday over Florida.
“You don’t know what to expect in that situation, but it definitely was no letdown,” said Montreal’s Max Pacioretty, who had two assists. “We responded well to an emotional night. To come out tonight and put that behind us, just worry about our own game, it’s pretty impressive.”