In a high-scoring affair, Auston Matthews continued his scoring tear by netting his 56th and 57th goals of the season, tying his personal best with a five-point night, and powering the Toronto Maple Leafs to an emphatic 7-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on a Wednesday clash. Despite Alex Ovechkin’s two-goal performance bringing him closer to Wayne Gretzky’s elusive record, it was Matthews who stole the show.
Ovechkin, with career goals 844 and 845, is now just 50 goals shy of surpassing Gretzky’s once seemingly untouchable record. With 23 goals this season, Ovechkin has come on strong, scoring 15 goals since January 22 after a slower start in his first 43 games.
Matthews’ double-goal evening has placed him within striking distance of Ovechkin’s personal best season, where Ovechkin scored 65 goals in the 2007-08 season, a mark that stands as the highest in the NHL’s salary cap era. Although a potential third goal for Matthews was overturned due to an offside challenge, his pursuit of a 70-goal season remained the highlight of the night.
The scoring frenzy wasn’t limited to Matthews and Ovechkin; Connor McMichael notched a goal for Washington, while William Nylander, Jake McCabe, Bobby McMann, Tyler Bertuzzi, and John Tavares rounded out the scoring for Toronto.
Joseph Woll was tasked with defending the Leafs’ net and made 18 saves, while Capitals’ Charlie Lindgren faced 22 shots. This loss hindered the Capitals’ attempt to reclaim a playoff position, leaving them one point behind Detroit in the race for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card berth.
The Capitals faced the Leafs without key players T.J. Oshie and Aliaksei Protas due to injuries, while Toronto saw enforcer Ryan Reaves sidelined after sustaining an eye injury in a previous game. Additionally, defenseman T.J. Brodie was left out of the lineup as a healthy scratch.
UP NEXT
The Maple Leafs look forward to facing Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. On the other hand, the Capitals are set to encounter Evgeny Kuznetsov, now with the Carolina Hurricanes, for the first time on Friday night.
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FAQ Section
- How many goals has Auston Matthews scored this season?
Auston Matthews has scored a total of 57 goals this season, leading the NHL. - Is Alex Ovechkin close to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record?
Yes, Alex Ovechkin now sits 50 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal record after scoring his 844th and 845th career goals. - What is Auston Matthews’ personal best in a season for points?
Matthews matched his career high with a five-point game during the match against the Capitals. - Did any key players miss the game?
Yes, T.J. Oshie and Aliaksei Protas for the Capitals, and Ryan Reaves and T.J. Brodie for the Maple Leafs were not playing in this game. - What is the next game for the Maple Leafs and the Capitals?
The Maple Leafs will host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night, while the Capitals will welcome the Carolina Hurricanes and former player Evgeny Kuznetsov on Friday night.
Conclusion
The Toronto Maple Leafs dominated the Washington Capitals in a game that showcased the scoring prowess of two of the league’s top talents. Matthews’ pursuit of a 70-goal season continues to excite, as he echoes the iconic performances of the great scorers before him. Despite Ovechkin’s considerable effort, the Capitals were unable to contend with the offensive firepower of the Leafs. As the regular season edges towards its conclusion, each game’s outcome becomes increasingly significant in the battle for playoff positioning.