In Newark, New Jersey, Auston Matthews is aware of the mounting pressure from his teammates and fans in Toronto, urging him to reach the milestone of 70 goals this season, a feat achieved by only eight players in NHL history. However, he’s making a conscious effort not to dwell on the lofty target.
Matthews, the league’s leading goal scorer with 66 goals, extended his impressive streaks of scoring and point accumulation in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 5-2 triumph over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, effectively dashing the Devils’ playoff aspirations.
The 26-year-old Matthews acknowledged the importance of maintaining his usual approach to the game, emphasizing consistency and team performance over individual accolades. Despite a slow start, the Maple Leafs surged ahead late in the second period with goals from Mark Giordano and Tyler Bertuzzi in a rapid 9-second succession, ultimately securing the lead.
Nicholas Robertson also contributed to the victory, while Joseph Woll made 18 saves for Toronto, which now boasts 101 points with four games remaining in the regular season. Looking ahead, Bertuzzi emphasized the team’s need to maintain momentum and adopt a playoff mindset in their remaining fixtures.
On the opposing side, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer found the net for New Jersey, with goaltender Jake Allen making 32 saves. Interim coach Travis Green praised his team’s effort but lamented their inability to secure wins in closely contested matchups.
Matthews’ milestone 66th goal of the season came in the final period, further solidifying his status as the league’s premier goal scorer among active players. His achievement drew admiration from his opponents, with Mercer acknowledging the rarity and significance of Matthews’ remarkable performance.
The game saw swings in momentum, with Mercer briefly giving the Devils a lead before Bertuzzi and Giordano’s quick goals tilted the balance in favor of the Maple Leafs.
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