Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews reaches 60 goals for 2nd time in his career

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs fans travel so well, Auston Matthews became accustomed hearing the chants “We want 60!” whether at home or on the road over the past week.

In Buffalo on Saturday, playing in the same building the Maple Leafs drafted him with the No. 1 pick in 2016, and an arena brimming with fans wearing blue and white jerseys, Matthews delivered.

Sweeping a loose puck into the open left side of the Sabres net with 5:37 left in regulation to cap Toronto’s 3-0 victory, Matthews sparked a electric celebration by becoming the NHL’s first two-time 60-goal scorer in 30 years.

Bending to one knee and punching the air, Matthews was mobbed by his teammates at the boards, while chants of “MVP!” rained from the thousands of Maple Leaf fans who made the 90-minute cross-border trek from Toronto.

“It means a lot, obviously,” Matthews said. “It’s always a fun atmosphere here with all the blue and white in the stands. Definitely pretty cool.”

Matthews matched the franchise record he set when he led the NHL in goals two seasons ago. The 26-year-old joins a group of eight NHL players to have multiple 60-goal seasons, and first since Pavel Bure had back-to-back 60-goal campaigns with the Vancouver Canucks in 1992-93 and 1993-94.

Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy lead the list with five 60-goal seasons.

Matthews, from Scottsdale, Arizona, became the first U.S.-born player to accomplish the feat.

I don’t know. It’s hard to think about stuff like that. Honestly, it’s special, obviously,” Matthews said, when asked to put his feat into historical context. “I’ve been fortunate to play with some really great players and a supportive team behind us. I just try to go out every day and compete.”

Matthews became just the sixth player to reach 60 goals in the 2000s. Of those players, he trails only Edmonton captain Connor McDavid, who scored 64 last season, and Washington captain Alex Ovechkin, who had 65 in 2007-08.

By scoring, Matthews extended his point streak to seven games, in which he has five goals and eight assist. Of his 60 goals, an NHL-leading 45 have come in even-strength situations.

And Matthews has been on a tear since December. After being limited to 13 goals in his first 21 games, Matthews has combined for 47 in his past 51 — a stretch in which he’s not gone more than two games without scoring.

“He’s had an incredible season, scored in different ways,” coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He does so much for our team. It’s more than just the goals. But for him to get that is great and if you’re not going to get it at home, this is probably second-best. That was great and I loved the way that the fans acknowledged him, too.”

Matthews and the Leafs didn’t have to look far to feel at home.

Right behind the Sabres bench were eight fans wearing white shirts spelling out his name, “M-A-T-T-H-E-W-S.” In celebrating Matthews’ goal, they raised two gold air balloons of a 6 and 0.

The goal was a hustle play by Matthews in which he chased down Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, who broke his stick while attempting to play the puck in Buffalo’s zone. After his first attempt was stopped by Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen, Matthews sent the puck back to the point. Lukkonenen stopped Conor Timmins' shot, with Matthews converting the rebound.

“I don’t think he really sets limits on himself. I think he just wants to continue to get better and work on his game adn go out there each and every night and be consistent and impact it,” said Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, who opened the scoring while playing in his 1,100th career game.

Certainly he wants to continue to be one of the best in the world and drive our team, and obviously make an impact with the way he can play the game,” Tavares added. “Obviously, he’s able to score a lot of goals, but his play in all three zones away from the puck with the puck is just exceptional. He’s just the total package.”

Matthews shifted his focus on the win, which inched the Maple Leafs within three points of clinching a playoff spot, and the importance of the final two-plus weeks of the season.

“Obviously, you want to be heading into April trying to feel confident and play your best hockey,” Matthews said. “An important week for us coming up here. It’ll be nice to enjoy this one and come get the focus on what’s to come.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) carries the puck up ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) skates toward a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his 60th goal of the season with center Max Domi (11) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Toronto Maple Leafs fans celebrate Auston Matthews' 60th goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his 60th goal of the season during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his 60th goal of the season with goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his 60th goal of the season during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) puts the puck past Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) to score his 60th goal of the season during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

BOSTON (AP) — With the Boston Bruins' season on the brink and the team's top scorer mired in a scoring slump, coach Jim Montgomery didn't hesitate to publicly challenge David Pastrnak to do more in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It helped bring out some of his best hockey at the perfect moment.

Pastrnak scored on a feed from Hampus Lindholm 1:54 into overtime and the Bruins beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in Game 7 on Saturday night to clinch their first-round series and advance in the NHL playoffs.

“He’s trying to bring the best out of every single player. He expects more," Pastrnak said. "I admitted I needed to be better.”

It was redemption for Pastrnak, who entered the night with two goals and two assists through the first six games.

“I thought he was dynamic tonight,” Montgomery said.

Jeremy Swayman finished with 30 saves and Lindholm had the tying goal in regulation to help the Bruins avoid losing their second straight first-round series after holding a 3-1 lead. They have now defeated the rival Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs three times in the last seven years.

“This was our best game of the series," Montgomery said. “This was the opportunity to seize the moment and be a difference maker.”

Boston will meet the Florida Panthers, who upset the Bruins in seven games in the first round last year and spoiled a season in which they posted NHL records for the most wins and points in a season. Game 1 is set for Monday night in Florida. The Panthers have been resting since Tuesday, when they eliminated Tampa Bay in five games.

William Nylander scored and Auston Matthews had an assist in his return from a two-game absence for the Maple Leafs, who are now 0-6 in Game 7s since the 2013 conference quarterfinals. They are 0-4 on the road in those games – all in Boston. Matthews missed Games 5 and 6 with an undisclosed ailment.

He declined to elaborate on what sidelined him.

“I don't think there was any doubt we could get to this point and climb our way back into the series,” Matthews said. “It was really hard to watch those two games. But just really proud of how the guys to fight and battle back and give ourselves a chance."

Ilya Samsonov started in goal for the first time since Game 4 and finished with 29 saves. James van Riemsdyk and Justin Brazeau also had assists.

“It’s a tough one to lose. Tough way to go," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said.

He was appreciative of the effort Matthews made to be on the ice.

“He did all he could to get himself ready and to be ready and to play at less than 100%," Keefe said. "He wanted to be there.”

Samsonov got the nod in place of Joseph Woll, who was ruled out prior to the game for what the team said was an injury he sustained in Game 6.

Samsonov allowed 12 goals over the first four games. Woll stepped in and gave up just two in Toronto’s Game 5 and 6 victories.

The Maple Leafs broke the scoring drought at 9:01 of the third period when Matthews corralled a loose puck that was mishandled by Tyler Bertuzzi in the zone and flipped it to a cutting Nylander, who beat Swayman for his third goal of the series.

But the Bruins responded just over a minute later when Lindholm muscled in a ricochet in front of the net to tie it back up at 1-all.

The Bruins had plenty of good luck charms inside TD Garden for Game 7.

Retired captain Patrice Bergeron waved the Bruins’ flag prior to the game. Celtics star Jayson Tatum and coach Joe Mazzulla were also in attendance and shown on the video screen, drawing a loud ovation.

The extra energy in the building found its way to the ice.

The Bruins were on the attack early on, holding an 11-8 edge through the opening 20 minutes after being outshot 23-3 during the first period over Games 5 and 6.

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Boston Bruins' Jeremy Swayman (1) blocks a shot by Toronto Maple Leafs' Connor Dewar (24) during the second period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Toronto Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies (23) collides with Boston Bruins' Jeremy Swayman (1) during the second period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Bruins' Parker Wotherspoon, left, battles Toronto Maple Leafs' Pontus Holmberg during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Toronto Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin (46) defends against Boston Bruins' Charlie McAvoy (73) in front of Ilya Samsonov (35) during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Toronto Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov (35) reaches for the puck as Max Domi (11) defends against Boston Bruins' Jake DeBrusk (74) during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe (22) battles Boston Bruins' James van Riemsdyk (21) for the puck during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Bruins' Charlie McAvoy (73) and Toronto Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies (23) battle for the puck during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Toronto Maple Leafs' Simon Benoit, right, checks Boston Bruins' John Beecher (19) during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Former Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron (37) waves a flag in the stands before Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Bruins' Jake DeBrusk (74) looks to get a shot on Toronto Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov (35) during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Bruins' Jeremy Swayman (1) makes a glove save behind Toronto Maple Leafs' David Kampf (64) as Hampus Lindholm (27) defends against Toronto Maple Leafs' Connor Dewar (24) during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates his goal with Auston Matthews (34) and Tyler Bertuzzi (59) during the third period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) scores against Boston Bruins' Jeremy Swayman (1) as Bruins' James van Riemsdyk (21) defends during the third period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Bruins' Hampus Lindholm (27) celebrates his goal with Justin Brazeau (55) and Trent Frederic (11) behind Toronto Maple Leafs' David Kampf (64) during the third period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Bruins' David Pastrnak (88) sets up to score on Toronto Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov (35) in overtime during Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)