Auston Matthews nets another hat trick, Maple Leafs hammer Ducks 9-2
TORONTO — Auston Matthews scored his sixth hat trick of the season — and second in as many games — to give him an NHL-leading 48 goals as part of a five-point night in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ resounding 9-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.
William Nylander added a goal and set up two others to hit 500 career points for Toronto (29-16-8), while Bobby McMann, with two goals and an assist, Nick Robertson, with a goal and an assist, Jake McCabe and Tyler Bertuzzi provided the rest of the offence. Timothy Liljegren had three assists. Mitch Marner, Max Domi and Matthew Knies added two each.
Martin Jones made 19 saves for the Leafs, who leapfrogged Tampa Bay for third in the Atlantic Division after the Lightning were embarrassed 9-2 on home ice by the Florida Panthers.
Toronto became the 15th team in NHL history to record hat tricks in three straight games after McMann had the first of his career Tuesday and Matthews followed that up with three goals of his own Thursday.