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TAMPA, Fla. — Auston Matthews was on the floor during the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 6-4 regular season loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night. ) failed to become the ninth player in NHL history to score 70 goals in a season.
Matthews had all seven of his shots in the first period blocked by 29-year-old rookie goalie Matt Tomkins, then hit the post midway through the second period with a shot. Tomkins made 34 saves in his sixth NHL start, including 12 from Matthews.
Matthews’ 12 shots were tied for the second-most in a game this season.
“Of course I wanted it, but it didn’t work out that way,” said Matthews, who had no points in back-to-back games against the Florida Panthers and Chargers. “The most important thing is the team and the success of the team and making sure I play my role as a leader on the team and help the team win. That’s where my focus is.”
Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe said Matthews’ game is about more than just putting the puck in the net.
“He played really well,” Keefe said. “I know everyone’s focused on him scoring 70 goals; you kind of overlook how good he’s been. The way he’s played the last two games – give him those types of opportunities and those types of shots, he Could have scored 75 points.
Matthews has not scored in 8 consecutive games, in which he scored 10 goals.
The third-place Maple Leafs will play their playoff opener Saturday in Boston against the second-place Bruins.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
