9, 2020, to win their qualifying round series inside the NHL's post-season bubble. Monday's game was the first for Toronto against an U.S.-based opponent since the Columbus Blue Jackets downed the Leafs on Aug. 'Shesterkin played really well,' said Campbell, who made 21 saves, including a couple of big ones in OT.

Michael Bunting replied for Toronto (2-1-1), which has five of a possible eight points on the young season despite not getting any goals from Matthews, Mitch Marner or John Tavares. 'Igor, if it's not for him, then I don't want to imagine what would happen.' 'I don't think we played good enough for long enough. 'We stole one,' said Zibanejad, who had the other goal for New York (2-1-1) to register the 100th two-point game of his career. Panarin then won it at 3:48 off a faceoff in the Leafs' end when he played a quick give-and-go with Mika Zibanejad before firing past a surprised Campbell.

'My eyes definitely lit up there on the shot and the rebound,' Matthews said. The loose puck appeared there for the taking in the New York crease, but Matthews was thwarted by defenceman Jacob Trouba, who was stopped by Jack Campbell at the other end moments earlier inside a raucous Scotiabank Arena. He intercepted a Shesterkin clearing attempt and forced a save out of the retreating netminder before William Nylander scooped up the rebound and fed Matthews against the grain for a one-timer that was also saved. Toronto's star centre had a couple of terrific chances to send his team home with the extra point in a frantic 3-on-3 OT that saw both goalies make incredible stops. 'Just hopping right out there, I could sense a little bit of fatigue setting in, but I tried to push through it.'

'The adrenalin the first 10 minutes kept me in it,' Matthews said. The 24-year-old sniper had a game-high 16 shot attempts - including eight on target - against the Rangers and played 22 minutes 53 seconds in his first live action since May 31. Matthews saw his first game action in 4 1/2 months after undergoing surgery on a nagging wrist injury that bothered him most of last season when he scored 41 times during the NHL's pandemic-shortened campaign to capture his first Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy as the league's goal leader. Igor Shesterkin was outstanding in making 40 saves before Artemi Panarin scored in overtime as the New York Rangers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1. TORONTO - Auston Matthews did just about everything in his return Monday.Įverything, that is, except find the back of the net.

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