Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner showcased their scoring prowess with two goals each, leading the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 7-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. In his debut start for Toronto, goaltender Martin Jones turned away 28 shots, contributing to the Maple Leafs’ impressive 5-0-2 record in their last seven games.
The Maple Leafs dominated the first period, securing a 4-1 lead with goals from Matthews, Conor Timmins, Calle Jarnkrok, and Marner. Despite a late surge from the Rangers in the second period, closing the gap to one goal, Marner extended the lead with a power-play goal early in the third.
Toronto sealed the win with two late goals, bouncing back from a previous 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. Matthews, who finished the night with two goals and two assists, emphasized the significance of securing two points on the back end of a challenging back-to-back.
Blake Wheeler netted two goals, and Mika Zibanejad added a power-play goal for the Rangers, who suffered their third loss in four games. Wheeler acknowledged the challenges of the season, emphasizing the importance of how the team responds to adversity.
Martin Jones, serving as the backup to Toronto’s Ilya Samsonov due to Joseph Woll’s ankle injury, made a solid contribution after joining the team as a free agent last summer. Jones, who previously played for several NHL teams, expressed satisfaction with the team’s effort, limiting the Rangers’ opportunities in the third period.
The victory marked a positive conclusion to the Maple Leafs’ road trip, with Matthews highlighting the team’s resilience. The Rangers, on the other hand, recognized the need for improvement, particularly in the challenging first period.
Matthews, leading the NHL with 21 goals this season, acknowledged the satisfaction of scoring against standout goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers’ netminder has faced a tough stretch, losing three consecutive games.
Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller was absent from the lineup due to personal reasons, with Zac Jones stepping in as his replacement. Despite the setback, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged Toronto’s speed and sharpness in the opening period, contributing to their victory.
In summary, Matthews, Marner, and Jones played pivotal roles in the Maple Leafs’ decisive win, highlighting their resilience and offensive prowess against a competitive Rangers team.