VANCOUVER – Given a second probability Auston Matthews wasn’t going to overlook.
Matthews and William Nylander, coming back from damage, scored in a shootout because the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 Saturday night time to snap a six-game NHL shedding streak.
Matthews had an opportunity to win the sport with 1:54 remaining within the three-on-three time beyond regulation when he was awarded a penalty shot after Conor Garland was known as for hooking.
Toronto known as a timeout to permit Matthews to catch his breath, then the Leafs’ centre skated in from the proper wing, minimize by the crease and tried to attain on a forehand however was stopped by Vancouver goaltender Nikita Tolopilo.
“I got here down with an concept of what I wished to do, and it didn’t work out,” Matthews stated. “I assumed there was some room there on that glove aspect.”
Within the shootout, Vancouver’s Jake DeBrusk hit the publish with the opening try.
Matthews was the primary Toronto shooter. This time, as an alternative of reducing throughout the ice, he deked, then flipped a backhand over Tolopilo’s glove.
“Fortunately I obtained that second alternative within the shootout,” Matthews stated. “I didn’t wish to make that mistake twice. I simply caught to it once more and located that opening there.”
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After Elias Pettersson failed to attain for Vancouver, Nylander put the sport away, scoring on a backhand deke to the opposite aspect of Tolopilo.
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Nicolas Roy and Max Domi additionally scored for Toronto (25-21-9) who’re eight factors again of the Boston Bruins who maintain the ultimate wild-card spot within the Jap Convention.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Tom Willander scored for Vancouver (18-31-6). Tolopilo stopped 39 pictures for Vancouver, which has two wins within the final 17 video games.
Toronto goaltender Joseph Woll, who made 28 saves, stated the sport felt like a playoff match.
“From right here on out, we’d like each recreation fairly badly,” stated Woll. “It’s going to be a playoff mindset. That’s actually necessary and I believe we actually confirmed it.”
It was a giant win for the Leafs who opened their four-game western highway swing with a 5-2 loss in Seattle on Thursday.
“This one feels good,” stated Matthews, who additionally assisted on Domi’s tying objective at 2:32 of the third interval. “We performed nicely in Seattle and it didn’t come out our manner.
“It was good that we caught with it, continued to grind by every little thing. The power was nice on this room once more and it was good to return out with the win.”
Matthews has completely happy to see the return of Nylander, who missed seven video games with a groin damage.
“He’s a giant a part of this crew and performs a giant half in what we’re attempting to do,” stated Matthews, who leads Toronto with 26 targets and 46 factors.
Toronto coach Craig Berube stated Nylander offered a spark on and off the ice.
“He was actually good tonight (Saturday),” stated Berube. “He skated extraordinarily nicely, competed, created offence. Simply listening to him on the bench speaking, his management. I assumed he elevated everyone on our crew.”
The Leafs took management of the sport within the third interval after they outshot Vancouver 18-5.
“We talked earlier than entering into there (that) it needed to be our greatest interval of the 12 months and for me it was fairly shut,” stated Berube. “We had the puck the entire interval.”
Defenceman Morgan Rielly left the sport within the second interval with an upper-body damage. Berube stated he can be evaluated Sunday.
The Leafs had loads of followers among the many crowd at Rogers Enviornment. There have been big cheers every time Toronto made a play and chats of “go Leafs go.”
Roy, who scored his first objective in 16 video games, stated it made for an amazing ambiance.
“It’s totally different,” he stated in regards to the help on the highway. “Not plenty of groups have this luxurious. It’s enjoyable to be a part of for certain.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Feb. 1, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
