The Toronto Maple Leafs hit season highs in shot attempts (85), shots on goal (50), and expected goals (6.56) in a 4-2 win at home on their Pride Night. Toronto's previous game high in shot attempts came against Montreal, shots on goal against Detroit, and expected goals against Carolina. It should also be noted the Leafs had one of their best offensive games of the season in December against Tampa Bay, a 4-1 win where they had over 40 shots and 5 expected goals. The Lightning, unlike the Blue Jackets, are famously an NHL team.

Zach Aston-Reese scored twice, including his career high 10th goal of the season. Alex Douglas Kerfoot also scored his second goal in five games. And Auston Matthews scored the empty netter on 11 shots in the game for his 38th goal of the year. That goal put Matthews at the top of the Leafs goal-scoring leaderboard for the first time this season, a mantle held by William Nylander all year up to now.

Joseph Woll wasn't excellent, but he stopped 25 of 27 for his fourth win of the year. Jet Greaves, who made his NHL debut, stopped 47 of 50 in the loss.

Matthews deserved the goal after out-chancing the Blue Jackets all on his own. John Tavares, too, but unfortunately he didn't find the scoresheet.

Highlights

1-0

Zach Aston-Reese opened the scoring early from Justin Holl activating from the point and finding him in the soft slot. This would be a pattern in this game, the Blue Jackets completely gave up the slot and those low-high chances all night.

1-1

Roslovic tied the game off a rush where Woll completely tripped on himself.

Scary moment for Mitch Marner as Kirill Marchenko steps on the back of his knee and leg. The replay shows Marchenko not putting full weight on either spot and Marner being able to play the rest of the game. Big sigh of relief.

2-1

Kerfoot found the rebound from a 2-on-1 with Nick Abruzzese and Sam Lafferty, who had two assists in this game.

3-1

ZAR doubled his goal total in the game and the lead with this tip in front from a Jake McCabe shot. This was his 10th goal of the season and 8th goal on TSN. I guess he really likes Mike Johnson. This ended up being the game winner.

3-2

Full props to Eric Robinson, for scoring this blistering goal in the third period to make it close near the end.

4-2

Matthews found the empty net from his own zone to seal the game. Liljegren made some good plays in front of the net to save some chances as he gets himself back up to his proper level of play.

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