4 takeaways from Leafs-Senators: Matthews’ best game of season, Sullivan’s power play catches fire
Auston Matthews delivered a vintage performance, with a goal, two assists and nine shots. Matthews took command of the game, flanked by Bobby McMann and Max Domi, and he constantly pushed himself into high-danger scoring scenarios. Matthew Knies was terrific as well, adding two goals, while William Nylander, Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson and John Tavares added singles for the Maple Leafs.
“You guys love that hockey, eh?” Berube asked, with a laugh, to start his post-game press conference. “A lot of excitement, fans like it, everybody likes it.”
It wasn’t all good news for the Maple Leafs, as Nylander left the game during the second period and did not return, due to a lower-body injury. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube revealed that Nylander will travel with the team for Saturday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, where a further determination of his status will be made.
During a fiery rivalry game, the Maple Leafs held their own, and after a post-whistle skirmish concluded following the final buzzer, Troy Stecher implored the crowd to get loud, and they met him in full measure.
STECHER WANTS NOISE!!!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Here are four takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ victory over the Senators:
Auston Matthews delivers his best game of the 2025-26 season
Auston Matthews played his best game of the season, and was dialled in from the outset. Matthews drew an interference penalty on Senators forward Fabian Zetterlund 12 seconds into the contest, and the new-look power play went to work.
Matthews set up William Nylander for the game’s opening goal, after Matias Maccelli and John Tavares combined to win a puck battle on the wall. Toronto’s captain found Nylander in front with a great touch pass, and Nylander backhanded the puck into the net for an early lead. Matthews continued his momentum throughout the game, and almost danced through the defence for another tremendous individual rush but was picked at the last second. Turnovers, as a function of opportunism from a superstar trying to find their form, can certainly be excused.
Matthews later emerged on a partial breakaway and almost picked the corner, but narrowly missed the target.
Matthews and his linemates were buzzing throughout the game. Domi finished with three assists and was completely engaged. Matthews recorded two shots on a second period shift, then Domi sustained the zone, before McMann jammed home a loose puck for a 3-2 lead.
Good things happen when you go to the net!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Good things tend to happen for talented, opportunistic scorers and Matthews was rewarded for his all-around efforts, jamming home a rebound later in the second period for a 4-2 lead.
That’s our Captain!!!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Chabot robbed Matthews there
Domi would ordinarily get his own section here for a standout game, as would McMann, but the line shined in conjunction and will almost certainly remain together for Saturday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. McMann-Matthews-Domi outshot the Senators 12-4 at 5-on-5, while controlling 87 percent of the expected goals via Natural Stat Trick. That’s the type of performance we’re used to seeing from Matthews and company.
Matthews received the belt, awarded to the Leafs’ best or most impactful player in a winning effort. It was certainly well-deserved after his best game of the season.
Auston Matthews, tonight vs. Senators:
– one goal, two assists, nine shots
– 85.2 percent of expected goals when on ice at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick.
– 13-5 shot differential when he was on the ice at 5-on-5
– Two takeaways, one giveaway
Matthews’ best game of year.
Sullivan-era power play is off to a scorching start
The Steve Sullivan era is off to a flying start!!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Steve Sullivan’s reaction after Nylander’s goal 🙂
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Toronto’s second power play unit waited patiently, and with Knies operating in the slot, Domi found him with an excellent lateral pass. Knies made no mistake converting. During Saturday’s morning skate, Knies was operating from the bumper spot, and often reset to the top. It paid dividends, and getting Knies more involved, especially crashing down towards the net, may be what Berube wanted all along. Knies told reporters post-game that it was the function of a set play that he was working on with Domi during the morning skate, a contention Domi flatly denied.
“Great to have Sully here,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said following Saturday’s morning skate. “We all knew Sully coming in and working with the Marlies this year. He was a longtime NHL player, a good player and an offensive guy. So, we brought him in here to help us and work with the power play.
Very Knies!!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
It was the second time the Maple Leafs have scored multiple power plays in a game, and it was the first time they scored two power play goals or greater in a single period.
“It’s great, especially both units getting a goal early on in the game. It’s such a big part of games and to get that momentum, from the power play, it’s huge,” Matthews said post-game.
“I think just overall, I think we were just executing a little bit better. I was obviously in a different spot during my goal, and I think that goal by Willie, it’s just an entry play that we executed and found a way to score. So little things like that, execution, structure, being in the right spots, I think is what helped us,” Knies said post-game.
Knies uses the totality of his skill set in two-goal performanceWe’ve gone through Knies’ first goal in detail, but he used his entire skill set during Saturday’s win. Knies was running over opponents on the forecheck, while primarily situated with Nicolas Roy and Nick Robertson at 5-on-5. During his breakout campaign last year, Knies was fond of pulling off a between-the-legs move to freeze defenders, and he unleashed it again to set up Nick Robertson’s second-period marker.
What a Knies pass!!!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Knies scored another terrific goal in the third period. Morgan Rielly entered the rush, and cut to the outside, surveying the ice. Rielly tossed a centring pass towards the net, Knies received it, and then out-waited Leevi Merilainen for a terrific tuck. It was the type of goal that we saw from Knies frequently last year, and it was a great way for him to break out of a goal drought that dated back to December 4.
Knies extends the lead!!!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Nylander’s injury casts shadow over the victory
Nylander’s injury casts a shadow over the victory, although this may be a moot point if he’s able to play Saturday. He was flying on the ice and drew a tripping penalty during the first period on Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. It would be a crushing loss if Nylander misses any time at all.
“He’s obviously a big part of the team. He drives play for us. Obviously, hoping for the best in this situation,” Matthews said post-game.
Robertson made it clear that it’s obvious what Nylander brings to the team, and there’s perhaps no reason in belabouring the point. Nylander is Toronto’s leading scorer, and they cannot afford to lose him while trying to claw its way back into the playoff race.PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER
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