Auston Matthews scored a power-play goal with 2:53 remaining, leading the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
Michael Bunting tied the game with a rebound goal with 4:50 left, and Calle Jarnkrok and Mitch Marner also scored for the Leafs. Ilya Samsonov made 30 saves in an outstanding performance.
Erik Haula scored twice and assisted once, and a stitched-up Ondrej Palat added a goal and two assists for New Jersey, which is now 17-4-3 since Jan. 7. Vitek Vanecek made 21 saves for the Devils.
Matthews, who had not scored in the previous three games, netted his 29th goal of the season on William Nylander’s second impressive setup of the game. This came a minute after Timo Meier was penalized for high-sticking.
The Maple Leafs, who are now 9-0-2 in their last 11 games against New Jersey, twice took the lead only to have the Devils tie it.
Jarnkrok gave Toronto its first lead 7:30 into the second period, tapping in a cross-ice pass from Nylander.
Haula tied the game with 3:03 left in the period, beating Samsonov up close after Marner failed to clear a loose puck in front of the crease.
Marner redeemed himself 4:57 into the third period with a short-handed goal. He stole the puck from Meier at center ice and beat Vanecek after a deke.
Palat, who required stitches after a high stick to the face, tied the game just over a minute later by putting in his rebound on the Devils’ second power play of the season.
Three minutes later, Haula put New Jersey ahead 3-2 with a deflection in front. Bunting then tied the game with 4:50 left, scoring his 20th goal by putting a rebound into an open net.
Game Notes
- Recently acquired Leafs center Ryan O’Reilly underwent surgery to repair a broken finger on his left hand, and is expected to be out for four weeks, according to coach Sheldon Keefe.
- Center John Tavares did not make the trip.
- Center Pontus Holmberg and right wing Alex Steeves skated on the fourth line a day after being recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
- Devils left wing Yegor Sharangovich and defenseman Brandon Smith were healthy scratches.
UP NEXT
- Maple Leafs: Host Edmonton on Saturday.
- Devils: Visit Washington on Thursday.
