Auston Matthews scores in 700th NHL game as Maple Leafs beat Blue Jackets 6-2
Auston Matthews celebrated his 700th NHL game with a goal and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2. Easton Cowan and Jack Roslovic each recorded three points, while Anthony Stolarz made 33 saves.
Auston Matthews marked his 700th NHL game with a goal and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 on Tuesday night, powered by a four-goal second period.
Toronto overcame an early deficit to secure its second road victory of the season, with six different players finding the scoresheet. Easton Cowan and Jack Roslovic each contributed three points, while Anthony Stolarz made 33 saves.
The result gave the Maple Leafs a convincing win away from home after taking control of the game in the middle frame.
Matthews reaches milestone as Toronto takes control
Columbus opened the scoring just 2:38 into the first period when Jake Christiansen recorded his first goal of the season.
Toronto responded on the power play at 8:16 through Kirill Marchenko, who was making his first appearance in Columbus since being traded to the Maple Leafs. The forward faced boos from the home crowd but answered with a goal against his former team.
The Blue Jackets nearly regained the lead before intermission when Kent Johnson found the net with a one-timer, but the goal was disallowed because time had expired.
The second period belonged to Toronto.
William Nylander and Matthews scored just 46 seconds apart to turn a 1-1 game into a two-goal advantage for the visitors.
Matthews’ goal added another milestone to his 700th career appearance. The Maple Leafs captain now has 16 goals and 27 points in 21 games against Columbus.
Colton Sissons also extended his point streak to four games with an assist on Nylander’s goal.
Toronto continued to build its lead when Cowan scored short-handed at 6:48, before Roslovic made it 5-1 at 12:03.
That fifth goal ended Jet Greaves’ night. The Columbus goaltender was replaced after allowing five goals on 19 shots, with Cam Talbot taking over in relief.
Cowan and Roslovic contribute three points each
While Matthews’ milestone provided the headline, Toronto received production throughout its lineup.
Cowan and Roslovic each finished with a goal and two assists, while Nylander recorded a goal and an assist.
Defenceman Morgan Rielly contributed three assists, helping the Maple Leafs maintain their offensive pressure as the game moved beyond Columbus’ reach.
Stolarz also delivered a strong performance in net, turning aside 33 shots to protect Toronto’s advantage.
The Blue Jackets pulled one goal back at 4:13 of the third period when Charlie Coyle scored his first of the season with a backhand effort.
However, Toronto restored its four-goal cushion with 3:02 remaining as Marshall Rifai completed the scoring.
Columbus has now lost four of its last five games, with its second-period struggles continuing to be a concern. Through eight games, the Blue Jackets have been outscored 15-3 in the middle frame.
Tuesday’s defeat followed that pattern, with Toronto scoring four unanswered goals during the period.
Maple Leafs return home to face Rangers
The victory offered Toronto an encouraging result on the road, particularly after its offence produced contributions from several players.
Matthews reached another career milestone, Cowan and Roslovic delivered multi-point performances, and Stolarz provided the saves needed to keep Columbus from mounting a comeback.
For the Maple Leafs, the four-goal second period ultimately decided the contest and gave the team its second away victory of the campaign.
Toronto will return to Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night to host the New York Rangers, looking to build on its six-goal performance in Columbus.
