Auston Matthews, Matthews Knies key Leafs win over Ottawa

Breadcrumb Trail Links

SportsHockeyNHLToronto Maple Leafs Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox Sign Up

Published Dec 27, 2025  •  Last updated 13 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews celebrates his goal with linemate Max Domi during the second period against the Ottawa Senators, in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Photo by Frank Gunn /THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle content

Smart move if you bought someone an Auston Matthews sweater for Christmas, knowing his first post-break game was against Ottawa.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors

Article content

Ditto for Matthew Knies if you figured he was due to break out.

Article content

Article content

Now on different lines and separate power-play units, they combined for three goals (two by Knies) and six points in Saturday’s spirited 7-5 win over the Ottawa Senators, the first Battle of Ontario of this season underlining how close the Atlantic Division standings are.

The downside for the Leafs was losing leading scorer William Nylander early in the second period with a lower body injury of undetermined severity.

In a night of crazy swings at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto had a single-period season high of 20 shots in scoring three, but did little in the third. The Sens ate into a couple of multiple goal leads before Knies’ second of the game gave them a 6-4 cushion early in the third and held up as the winner. His first goal, on a first-period power play, was his first since Dec. 4. Nylander, Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson and John Tavares (empty-netter) also scored for the Leafs. Max Domi earned three assists.

Your Midday Sun

Your noon-hour look at what’s happening in Toronto and beyond.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Thanks for signing up!

A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Article content

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

It’s a good bet there’s some holiday magic in No. 34 when the Senators are concerned for Matthews, whose his two goals and assist gave him 51 points in 36 career games against Ottawa. He debuted with four-goal against the Sens in 2016 and is now four away from tying Mats Sundin for the franchise record of 420.

The weeks-long tinkering with the power play, following the firing of assistant Marc Savard and promotion of Steve Sullivan the past few days to help Derek Lalonde had the stunning success of two goals in its first two tries against the league’s second worst penalty-killers.

Matias Maccelli, now a fixture on the first unit, overcame an awkward entry to set up Matthews, whose quick backhand found Nylander in front. That was 40 seconds after puck drop and followed up by the second group’s conversion. Knies, taken off the top squad, drilled home Domi’s one-time pass.

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Berube has emphasized that Sullivan’s arrival won’t rescue the power play on his own.

“We all knew Sully coming in from his work with the (AHL) Marlies,” Berube said. “It’s a new voice (for) some different set-ups. We don’t need to complicate anything right now, we need to get some feel back on the power play, get some chemistry going with some units we have.”

Ottawa got one back before the period ended on a puck that hit Nick Cousins’ skate as he drove the net, transferring it to his stick and past Joseph Woll.

Following a narrow escape from a Robertson giveaway at the side of Woll’s net, the Leafs put two more past Linus Ullmark to chase him from the game on 14 shots. Domi and Matthews kept a puck alive for linemate Bobby McMann to tap it in.

Advertisement 5

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Tim Stutzle, Jordan Spence and Drake Batherson all struck in the third for Ottawa, which trailed 5-2 entering the frame and twice pulled to within one of tying.

“We’ve talked about what we need to do and it’ll be good to get right into it.” defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson said before the game with Toronto second last in the conference with another divisional game against Detroit on Sunday.

It was newcomer winger Dakota Joshua’s first exposure to the provincial rivalry, re-ignited last spring when Toronto beat the Sens in six games in the opening round playoff series.

“We have to have that desperation you’d need if this was the last two games of the season,” Joshua said pre-game.

On changing the defence the past couple of games with Chris Tanev’s return from injury, restored with Jake McCabe , Berube noted he now has right and left shooting pairs through the starting lineup.

“We wanted to get that (McCabe-Tanev) familiarity back,” Berube said. “They’ve been a great pair for a long time and (Troy) Stecher has played well (warranting a stay ahead of Simon Benoit as Ekman-Larsson’s partner).

Ottawa, which flew in Saturday morning to stretch their holiday break under NHL travel rules, had won five of its last seven games and its last four losses were all by only a goal. The Sens want to finish ahead of Toronto in the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2016-17.

Lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby

Article content

Share this article in your social network