Auston Matthews Gets Another Hat Trick as Leafs Crush Ducks

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Martin Jones, TJ Brodie (L), and Anaheim Ducks' Alex Killorn watch the puck go wide of the goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Feb. 17, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Auston Matthews had his second consecutive hat trick—and first five-point game of his career—as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Anaheim Ducks 9–2 on Saturday night, Feb. 17.

Matthews, who also had two assists, has six hat tricks this season and 13 in his career. He leads the league with 48 goals.

Bobby McMann added two goals and an assist, William Nylander had a goal and two assists and Jake McCabe and Nicholas Robertson each had a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs, who have won three straight.

Tyler Bertuzzi also scored in the win. Timothy Liljegren contributed three assists and Mitchell Marner, Matthew Knies and Max Domi each had two assists.

Martin Jones made 19 saves.

Ryan Strome had a goal and an assist for the Ducks and Frank Vatrano scored a goal.

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Lukas Dostal allowed four goals in 18 shots in the first period. John Gibson took over in the second period and finished with nine saves.

Toronto led 4–1 after the first period. Knies made a precise pass to Matthews, who scored at 3:41.

McMann gave the Leafs a 2–0 lead during a power play at 6:06. Vatrano was off the ice after being called for high sticking.

McCabe scored his fifth of the season at 10:33 on a shot that went in off the post.

Vatrano scored his 24th goal during a power play at 11:32 to cut the Ducks’ deficit to 3–1. Nylander was off after being whistled for hooking,

Nylander scored his 28th goal at 17:37 on a power play for his 500th career NHL point to give the Leafs a 4–1 cushion. Gustav Lindstrom was off for slashing.

Matthews scored on a power play 50 seconds into the second period to increase the lead to 5–1. Strome was off for hooking.

Bertuzzi scored his seventh of the season on a power play at 2:51 of the second. Max Jones was off for high sticking.

Matthews scored again on a tip-in at 5:39 of the second.

McMann scored his seventh of the season at 17:58 of the second as the Leafs entered the third period with an 8–1 lead.

Strome scored his ninth goal of the season at 15:36 of the third period to make it 8–2. Robertson finished the scoring with his eighth goal at 17:54.

Toronto was without John Tavares (undisclosed injury),  Mark Giordano (personal) and Morgan Rielly (suspension).

Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews (L) is congratulated by Simon Benoit after scoring his third goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Feb. 17, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)