Game one
Just prior to the game, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced they had acquired forward Alex Galchenyuk from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Egor Korshkov and David Warsofsky. Galchenyuk had just been traded to the Hurricanes three days earlier.
Alex Galchenyuk never travelled into the U.S. after his original trade to Carolina over the weekend and will avoid a 14-day quarantine as he joins the #leafs.
Expect him to get some work in with the player development staff.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 16, 2021
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Joe Thornton returned to the lineup, having not played since he fractured a rib in mid-January.
Auston Matthews scored twice, giving him 12 goals total on the season, and Thornton picked up a goal and an assist. Though the Senators picked up a late goal, by the end of the second period, the Leafs still had a 5–2 lead, with Pierre Engvall and Travis Boyd contributing a goal each.
AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨
Jumbo is back baby! What a pass! pic.twitter.com/TC08hB0w1R
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 16, 2021
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Then, the Senators scored three in a row in the third, pushing the game to overtime, where Evgenii Dadonov scored the game-winner.
Overall, this loss was an embarrassing one. If there is any doubt about that, take a look at the goal that tied the game for the Senators.
Dadonov ties it. pic.twitter.com/Bk0wsSi8R5
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 16, 2021
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However, I think this may benefit the team in the long run. Over the last week or so, they have been outplayed in almost every game, yet have still somehow been winning games. That did not work in this game, though.
Game two
The second game against the Senator started incredibly slow. Halfway through the first period, the Leafs had a total of three shots on net. Late in the first, Thornton scored, but the goal was disallowed.
Joe Thornton! but…
Waved off. Pushed the pad in. pic.twitter.com/ET32rrZ1ct
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 18, 2021
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And then, early in the second period, Thornton scored. And it was waved off again.
JOE THORTooonnnnoooo way
Waved off again. High stick pic.twitter.com/h8GGMljG6w
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 18, 2021
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Matthews scored to give the Leafs the lead and then followed that up with an own goal. The second period ended 1–1.
The pass went off Matthews’ stick
Goals at both ends I guess pic.twitter.com/N63RPLZ6Xv
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 18, 2021
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Alexander Kerfoot scored midway through the third period, and Frederik Andersen shut the door the rest of the way.
Freddie closes the five-hole pic.twitter.com/LTpYBQulIq
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 18, 2021
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The Leafs took this one, 2–1.
Game three
Andersen sat this one out, meaning Michael Hutchinson started in net. Zach Hyman also missed the contest being day-to-day.
Matthews opened the scoring for the Leafs 10 minutes into the first.
AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨
50 in 56 is still going! pic.twitter.com/HSK4e7Q04v
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 19, 2021
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Matthews had another two-goal game, while Thornton, William Nylander, John Tavares and Ilya Mikheyev each picked up one. The top line, composed of Matthews, Thornton and Mitch Marner, combined for 11 points.
Hutchinson stopped 34 shots and continuously got better as the game went on. This was a much-needed break for Andersen, as he has started every game since Jack Campbell was injured.
The Leafs won 7–3.
Game four
This is the fourth time the Maple Leafs have played the Montreal Canadiens so far in the shortened season.
Matthews extended his point streak to 16 games with another two goals, both coming on the power play. Travis Boyd, a new addition to the top power play unit, also scored.
TRAVIS BOYD 🚨
Yeaaahhh boooyyyy(d) pic.twitter.com/TLVTmmzRbq
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 21, 2021
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Boyd has been a great acquisition for the team and has played himself into a larger role. Marner and Kerfoot also scored to propel the Leafs to a 5–3 win.
Matthews now has 18 goals on the season.
“Auston is setting new standards, it seems like, every day,” Toronto Head Coach Sheldon Keefe said in the postgame press conference. “But, I think it’s also important to recognize the play of Mitch Marner here, and how he’s really teamed up with Auston. They’re pushing each other to new heights, and it’s been fun to watch.”
The Maple Leafs now lead the NHL and open next week with two home games against the Calgary Flames before traveling to Edmonton to play the Oilers.