Auston Matthews scores his 38th as Maple Leafs edge Kraken 3-1
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrated a milestone as he notched his league-leading 38th goal during the first period against the Seattle Kraken on Jan. 21 in Seattle. While Matthews and Mitch Marner showcased their chemistry with another highlight-reel goal, the spotlight shifted to goaltender Ilya Samsonov. Samsonov, seeking a resurgence, secured his…
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrated a milestone as he notched his league-leading 38th goal during the first period against the Seattle Kraken on Jan. 21 in Seattle. While Matthews and Mitch Marner showcased their chemistry with another highlight-reel goal, the spotlight shifted to goaltender Ilya Samsonov. Samsonov, seeking a resurgence, secured his first win since early December, making crucial saves in the Leafs’ 3-1 victory.
The Leafs had faced a rough patch, dropping five of their last six games, including a 6-4 loss to Vancouver the day before. Samsonov’s stellar performance, marked by confidence and poise, brought much-needed relief to the team. After enduring a challenging six weeks that included a stint in the AHL, Samsonov’s 16 saves contributed to a significant confidence boost.
Matthews praised Samsonov’s “lights out” performance, emphasizing the goalie’s unbelievable saves. Despite a recent struggle, Samsonov’s resilience and focus on the present were evident in his post-game remarks. His standout moment came in the third period, denying Justin Schultz’s shot with a right pad save, securing the win for the Leafs.
Jordan Eberle managed to score for the struggling Kraken, who suffered their fourth consecutive loss. With key players like Matty Beniers and Vince Dunn sidelined due to injuries and Yanni Gourde serving a suspension, Seattle faced challenges against the Leafs. Eberle acknowledged the team’s difficulties and stressed the need to regroup before the All-Star break.
Matthews continued his goal-scoring streak, netting his fifth in the past four games with a skillful move. Nicholas Robertson added to the Leafs’ tally in the second period, exploiting a defensive lapse by Jaden Schwartz. However, maintaining leads has been an issue for Toronto, as seen when Seattle closed the gap to 2-1 with Eberle’s goal.
In a game where the Leafs closed out their western swing with a much-needed victory, Samsonov’s resurgence stole the spotlight, providing hope for a team striving to find consistency in their performance.
