Matthews scores twice in dominant 7-1 win, Leafs keep hold on playoff spot

Slow starters in each of their previous two games, the Leafs got a better opening 20 minutes against New York. They got a pair past Thomas Greiss — including a career-high 21st this season for Nazem Kadri — and a perfect 12-save period from Andersen.

Head coach Mike Babcock credited the 27-year-old goaltender for stabilizing things early amid some “heavy” offensive zone pressure from the Islanders. Andersen gave up six goals to the Islanders last week in a 6-5 overtime defeat, New York also hitting Jhonas Enroth for five goals in a 5-1 decision in late October.

“I thought Freddy made some real good saves tonight and the better your goalie plays the more you settle down and the more you get dialed in,” Babcock said.

Andersen had been stuck on 99 career wins for more than a week, finally landing on No. 100 against the Islanders.

“I mean it’s nice, but it’s more important the 26 we have as a team this year,” he said.

Leivo scored the first Toronto goal, ripping a shot past Greiss after missing a glorious chance a few minutes earlier. It was the first goal of the season for the 23-year-old, getting a rare opportunity to play with rookie winger Nikita Soshnikov sidelined by injury.

Leivo was suiting up for only his fifth game this year, a healthy scratch many nights previously. Babcock said he earned another look on Wednesday night — even with Soshnikov now ready to return — when the Leafs visit the Columbus Blue Jackets to conclude a 13th back-to-back set this season.

“Confidence is earned; you can’t give it to him,” Babcock said of Leivo, who also added two assists in just under 10 minutes. “I thought he did a good job here tonight.”

Kadri and William Nylander continued the barrage on Greiss before Jason Chimera brought the Islanders to within two by scoring on a penalty shot late in the second period. Chimera was stopped by Andersen on a breakaway attempt, but officials determined that his progress had been slowed by defenceman Matt Hunwick, who later scored as the goals piled up in the third frame.

Matthews notched a pair in the period, his 26th and 27th goals of the year. He’s the first Leafs rookie since Daniel Marois in 1988-89 to hit the 27-goal plateau — now seven shy of equalling Wendel Clark’s franchise rookie record of 34.

The 19-year-old not only leads all rookies in goals, but sits only three back of Sidney Crosby for the overall league lead.

Matthews beat Greiss with a backhand rebound on the power play and then deposited Connor Brown’s feed from behind the New York goal.

“Obviously you know he’s a real good player, but the NHL is a really good league and it’s hard to score goals in this league,” Babcock said of Matthews, who has four multi-goal games this year. “He plays on a good line and he’s an elite player and very determined with an elite, heavy shot and he goes to the traffic areas and that’s where you score.”

Tyler Bozak also added a third-period goal for the Leafs.

Babcock opted against having his team skate ahead of the game on Tuesday morning, hoping that a change in routine might spur a better result. The Leafs had dropped six of the previous eight, their playoff positioning becoming increasingly insecure as those like the Islanders rose in the standings.

They now trail Boston and Ottawa by only a point for the final two playoff spots in the Atlantic division, the Senators sitting second with games in hand on both the Bruins (four) and Leafs (one).

Asked if he might consider doing away with the morning skate entirely after the positive result against New York Babcock quipped: “Well the scary thing about it is the players think the optional (skate) is for them. They have no idea the coach likes it better than anybody in hockey.”

Jonas Siegel, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Matthews scores twice in dominant 7-1 win, Leafs keep hold on playoff spot

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