Auston Matthews has goal, 2 assists as Maple Leafs beat Senators 7-5

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Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal with teammate Max Domi (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators, in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, right, and Ottawa Senators center Dylan Cozens vie for control of the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal with teammate Max Domi (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators, in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

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10:24 PM on Saturday, December 27

The Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Captain Auston Matthews shook off a slump with a goal and two assists, and Matthew Knies scored twice to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 7-5 win against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.

Matthews, who had gone four games without a point, got his first three-point outing of the season. He set up William Nylander on the power play to open the scoring, assisted on Bobby McMann’s go-ahead goal early in the second period, and scored on his next shift for a 4-2 Toronto advantage.

The Senators pulled to within a goal twice, but Knies’ second with 14:07 remaining stood up as the winner.

The Maple Leafs jumped out to a 2-0 lead after a power-play goal by Knies. But Ottawa’s Nick Cousins scored late in the first period, and Ridly Greig pulled his team even 18 seconds into the second period.

Toronto then exploded for three goals from McMann, Matthews and Nick Robertson before the end of the second period. But Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle scored in the opening 5:07 of the third to make it a one-goal game.

Max Domi enjoyed a three-assist game. Ottawa’s Claude Giroux played in his 1,300th career game and had two assists.

The Maple Leafs outshot the visitors 33-31. Linus Ullmark was pulled after the Matthews goal in favour of backup Leevi Merilainen. Joseph Woll was good enough for his seventh win in 12 starts.

Nylander left the game after his third shift in the second period with an undisclosed injury. After missing only one game in the previous four years, he has been absent from four games this season.

After 210 AHL regular-season games, former Edmonton Oilers first-round pick Xavier Bourgault made his NHL debut for the Senators.

Up next

Senators: Host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.

Maple Leafs: Visit the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL