Achi news desk-
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) –
Auston Matthews scored his 66th goal and came close to becoming the ninth player in NHL history to reach an NHL-leading 70 in a season. Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-2 victory over New Jersey on Tuesday night, ending the Devils’ disappointing playoff hopes.
Mark Giordano and Tyler Bertuzzi scored within nine seconds late in the second period to give the Maple Leafs a 3-2 lead en route to their sixth win in seven games. Nicholas Robertson also scored and Joseph Wall made 18 saves.
Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer scored for New Jersey, while Jake Allen made 32 saves.
Matthews’ 66 came on a shot from the circle that beat Allen at 7:33 of the final period. He has now scored in six straight games. Bertuzzi added his 21st of the season late, scoring into an empty net.
Matthews’ 66 goals are the most in a season among any active player and he still has four games left to play in the regular season. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin holds the previous record among active players entering the season when he scored 65 in 2007-08.
After Mercer gave the Devils a 2-1 lead early in the second period on a power play, Allen kept New Jersey ahead until Bertuzzi scored on a great cross-ice pass from Max Domi. Giordano followed seconds later with a shot from the spot.
70 goals in a season
Eight players have scored 70 goals in a regular season, led by Wayne Gretzky, who did it four times when 92 in 1981-82 was the league record. Others who have done so are Brett Hull (three times), Mario Lemieux (twice), Alexander Mugilani, Phil Esposito, Timo Sallan, Jerry Currie and Bernie Nichols.
the next
maple leaves: Demons host on Thursday night.
demons: in Toronto on Thursday night.
