In his first game since Jan. 25, Auston Matthews scored two points in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.
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The American sniper, who was on the floor due to a knee injury, had to be absent in the last five duels of his team. He made sure to underline his return to the game in a big way by threading the needle from the first twenty.
As the Leafs buzzed into enemy territory, William Nylander spotted Matthews in the slot. The two-time Maurice-Richard Trophy winner slotted the puck into the top corner with lightning speed to make it 3-1.
Also making himself an accomplice of Conor Timmins at the end of the second period, Matthews increased his harvest to 26 goals and 55 points in 48 games this season.
This duel, quite unequal on paper, especially since the “Hawks” were playing a second game in 24 hours, started on a high. Nylander first took advantage of an excellent throw-in from Morgan Rielly to open the scoring after nine short seconds of play.
Luke Richardson’s men only needed a minute to respond. After playing a trick on Calle Jarnkrok at the hosts’ blue line, Sam Lafferty tied the game with a backhand shot.
The Leafs, who fired no less than 18 shots on Petr Mrazek’s cage in the first period alone, still retreated to the locker room with a two-goal priority. Before the success of Matthews, Rasmus Sandin saw his pass deflect on the skate of Connor Murphy before shaking the strings of the “Hawks”.
The Illinois team nevertheless demonstrated an astonishing combativeness. Just after the first intermission, Max Domi was patient entering the territory before setting the table to launch it on reception from Philipp Kurashev. The Swiss striker scored his eighth goal of the campaign on the streak.
Mrazek, however, did not help his people to recover. The Czech goalkeeper gave his former team a gift by letting John Tavares shine the red light after a hazardous outing behind his net.
The Maple Leafs, who will also host the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, have won six of their last 10 meetings.
After back-to-back losses to the Winnipeg Jets, CH and Leafs, the Blackhawks will try to end their Canadian journey in style against the Ottawa Senators on Friday.
-In addition, veteran Wayne Simmonds, waived by the Leafs on Tuesday, was not claimed by another formation of the Bettman circuit.