In a commanding performance, Auston Matthews netted two goals, while Ilya Samsonov secured his first shutout of the season with 18 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs triumphed 4-0 against the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.
Samsonov, stepping in for the injured Joseph Woll, marked his 11th NHL shutout. David Kampf, with a brilliant shot, and Noah Gregor, sealing the win with an empty-netter, also contributed to Toronto’s success. William Nylander notched two assists, and John Tavares earned his 998th career point.
Despite a strong effort from Kevin Lankinen, who stopped 33 shots for Nashville, the Predators’ three-game winning streak came to an end. Kampf broke the deadlock in the second period, followed by Matthews extending the lead with a dynamic give-and-go play.
Matthews continued his stellar performance, tallying his 18th goal of the season in the final minutes, securing a decisive victory for the Maple Leafs. The game also saw a notable third-period moment when Toronto’s Jake McCabe delivered a massive hit on Luke Evangelista, leading to a spirited altercation with Kiefer Sherwood.