Toronto Rallies From 3-0 Down to Beat Predators 5-4, Matthews Scores in OT
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By Doug Hirdle
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- Proof-checked
Summary:
- Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Nashville Predators 5-4 on Tuesday.
- Captain Auston Matthews scored at 4:46 of the extra period after collecting three assists during regulation.
- No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna scored his first NHL goal.
Auston Matthews capped a wild comeback with an overtime goal Tuesday, helping the Toronto Maple Leafs to only their second win of the season after overcoming a three-goal deficit to beat the Nashville Predators 5-4 at Scotiabank Arena.
He Scored His First NHL Goal
Matthews scored at 4:46 of overtime after William Nylander drove the puck toward the net. Matthews collected the rebound and fired it past Juuse Saros to complete Toronto’s comeback.
The Maple Leafs trailed 3-0 early in the second period before scoring five of the next six goals. Matthews also recorded three assists during regulation, while Nylander finished with a goal and two assists.
John Tavares, Jack Roslovic and Gavin McKenna also scored for Toronto.
McKenna’s goal was particularly important, since it was his first in the NHL and came just 61 seconds after Steven Stamkos had restored Nashville’s two-goal advantage.
McKenna also assisted on Tavares’ goal earlier in the second period, giving the No. 1 overall pick his first professional point.
Nashville Had Early Control
Nashville took control early, with Stamkos opening the scoring on a power play at 7:13 of the first period. Nils Hoglander then scored twice, including a rebound goal and a second-period tap-in, to put the Predators ahead 3-0.
Tavares finally got Toronto on the board at 4:56 of the second, converting off the rush with McKenna providing the primary assist. Nylander cut the deficit to one less than two minutes later with a power-play goal.
Stamkos responded with his second goal at 13:30, moving him past Joe Sakic and Jarome Iginla into 17th place on the NHL’s all-time goals list with 626.
McKenna quickly answered, scoring his first NHL goal at 14:31. Roslovic then tied the game at 8:54 of the third period with a shot that beat Saros high off the post.
Toronto had a chance to finish the game earlier in overtime but failed to convert a three-on-zero opportunity. Matthews eventually ended the contest with his rebound goal.
Anthony Stolarz ended the evening with 21 saves in total for the Maple Leafs, while Saros stopped no less than 33 shots for Nashville.
The game also marked just the fourth time in NHL history that four first overall picks scored in the same game. Matthews, Tavares and Stamkos were joined by McKenna, the latest No. 1 pick to reach the milestone.
The victory moved Toronto to 2-2-0 on the new NHL season, while Nashville dropped to 1-1-1.
Doug Hirdle
Author
betting.ca
