Maple Leafs 5 Vancouver Canucks 0
LEAFS 5, CANUCKS 0
The Maple Leafs halted their losing streak at two games, playing one of their best allaround games of the season. Auston Matthews broke a five-game goalless drought and Trevor Moore scored one he won’t forget in a 5-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks. John Tavares, Andreas Johnsson and Igor Ozhiganov also had goals for Toronto.
The Canucks, who were playing without injured star Elias Pettersson, the NHL’s rookie scoring leader, were shut out for the third time in four games.
á Offensive stars: Moore showed a burst of speed down the right side, stepping around a defenceman, en route to his career first NHL goal. He beat Jakob Markstrom through the five-hole, but it was the speed that was impressive … Tavares notched his 27th goal of the season, 11 shy of his career high, and there are still 41 games to go. Tavares has 11 goals and 11 assists in 20 homes games this season, and has scored the game’s first goal seven times … Matthews and Johnsson took over the third period, with Matthews scoring his 20th goal and adding two assists, and Johnsson scoring and picking up an assist. He now has nine goals and 19 points on the season.
Defensive stars: Toronto goaltender Michael Hutchinson, who turned aside all 28 shots he faced in his second start with the Leafs ... Ron Hainsey did a lot of things very well in his own zone and on the penalty kill, and he does it mostly without acclaim … Mitch Marner was solid on the backcheck; his defence is rarely talked about. Marner played in his career 200th game Saturday and has 185 points.
Talking point: The Leafs, in the mark of a good NHL team, halted their losing streak and have yet to lose three in a row all season.
Takeaways: The Leafs heeded their coach’s message: They allowed just 11 first period shots after allowing 19 in a loss to Minnesota on Thursday … Hutchinson was steady in notching the shutout for the Leafs. It was his second consecutive start, with Frederik Andersen (groin) and Garrett Sparks (concussion) still sidelined. Andersen, if he practices Sunday, could be ready to go at some point this coming week.
They said it: “No, no … he hasn’t practised with our team, he hasn’t been allowed to yet. He tells me he’s ready, but the medical people don’t think so.” — Leafs coach Mike Babcock, on the status of Zach Hyman, who would be playing right now if it were up to him. He sprained an ankle three weeks ago.
Up next: The Leafs face a stiff test against the Nashville Predators on Monday night on home ice.