The Good, Bad & Ugly in the Maple Leafs’ 6-4 Win Over Boston

The Good: Matthews Returns with a Bang

The Matthews-Mitch Marner-Matthew Knies line was reunited, with Auston Matthews returning. What a game they had. Knies led the way with his first career hat trick and two assists, marking the first five-point game of his career. Marner contributed a goal and four assists, giving him the fifth five-point game of his career. Matthews added a goal and two assists.

Knies’ three goals bring his season total to 14, putting him on pace for 29 goals. Marner’s four assists place him second in the NHL with 42, although he remains nine behind league leader Nathan MacKinnon. Marner’s fifth career five-point game ties him with Babe Dye (1942–47) for second-most in franchise history. Darryl Sittler leads with seven.

For perhaps the first time this season, Matthews looked fully healthy. He was dominant with the puck, displaying quick, crisp edge work on his turns and straight-line speed. He was also physical, using his body effectively. However, questions remain about his overall health. Head coach Craig Berube mentioned the need to monitor and possibly manage Matthews’ ice time, suggesting he may not yet be 100%.

McCabe and Woll Add to the Maple Leafs Win

Jake McCabe scored Toronto’s opening goal after sneaking in from the point and wiring a pass from Marner past Jeremy Swayman. It was the first goal by a Maple Leafs defenseman since November 30, when Chris Tanev scored. No Toronto defenseman found the back of the net in December.

Despite allowing four goals, Joseph Woll picked up his fourth straight win. Woll has started and won the last three games Toronto has played.

The win gives the Maple Leafs sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division, two points ahead of the idle Florida Panthers. Both teams have played the same number of games. Toronto’s 52 points also put them second in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the Washington Capitals and one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils.

The Bad: Maple Leafs Second Line Struggled

While the Matthews line was stellar, the John Tavares-William Nylander-Max Pacioretty line struggled. Boston scored just 12 seconds after Knies made it 2-0 Toronto, tied the game at 3-3 only 34 seconds after Knies restored the lead, and scored again 15 seconds after Marner’s empty-netter made it 5-3. All three goals came against the Tavares line on shifts immediately following Toronto’s goals. Pacioretty gets a pass on the third goal, as Berube deployed David Kämpf alongside Tavares and Nylander for defensive support late in the game.

Nylander is in a mini-goal-scoring slump, having gone six games without finding the back of the net. However, he has contributed five assists during that stretch.

The Ugly: Tavares Makes Error with the Puck for Bruins Score

Boston’s third goal was particularly ugly for Tavares. Standing still inside the Toronto blue line, he hesitated with the puck, allowing David Pastrnak to steal it with a stick lift before firing it past a surprised Joseph Woll.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs are back in action tonight, hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite the Flyers’ sub-.500 record (17-18-4), they are just two points out of a playoff spot. They will be rested after last playing Thursday, a 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Toronto, meanwhile, will be playing their third game in four days. It will be a challenge.

It remains to be seen if Matthews will play in the second half of back-to-backs. If roster changes are needed, the Maple Leafs have healthy options in Ryan Reaves, Connor Timmins, and Pontus Holmberg. No goalie movements have been announced, which suggests Dennis Hildeby will get the start. Hildeby’s last NHL outing was a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on December 15.