National Hockey League
Toronto 5, Montreal 1
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, May 22, 2021
Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
Referees: Eric Furlatt, Kevin Pollock
Linesmen: Scott Cherrey, Kiel Murchison
Attendance: N/A

Auston Matthews had a goal and two assists and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Montreal Canadiens 5-1 Saturday night to even the best-of-seven, first-round Stanley Cup playoff series at 1-1.

William Nylander added a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs. Jason Spezza, Rasmus Sandin and Alexander Kerfoot also scored and Mitchell Marner added two assists.

Game 3 will be played at Montreal on Monday.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored for the Canadiens.

Jack Campbell made 22 saves for Toronto. Carey Price stopped 29 shots for Montreal.

Kotkaniemi, who did not play in Game 1, gave Montreal the lead at 7:57 of the first period, putting in a rebound from the low slot after Campbell had made two saves. Joel Armia and Tyler Toffoli earned assists.

Spezza tied it at 12:25 of the first, racing off the bench to zip in a wrist shot from the right circle after stepping in front of teammate Wayne Simmonds. Zach Bogosian earned the assist.

Toronto took a 2-1 lead when Matthews scored at 5:15 of the second period from a rebound on Justin Holl's shot. Matthews had passed off to Holl and continued to drive to the net. Marner also earned an assist.

The Maple Leafs took advantage of their third straight power play in the second period to take a 3-1 lead. Sandin blasted a slap shot from the left point at 13:20. Matthews and Marner assisted. Kotkaniemi was off for cross-checking.

Montreal challenged the goal, claiming goaltender interference. The goal stood and the failed challenge gave Toronto its fourth straight power play.

Toronto led in shots 29-15 after two periods.

Nylander scored at 8:50 of the third period on Toronto's fifth straight power play. The shot from the left circle came on the rebound when a shot by Matthews went off the post. Morgan Rielly also got an assist. Nylander's second goal of the series came with Shea Weber off for cross-checking.

Kerfoot scored into the empty net at 18:37 of the third.

The Maple Leafs were without captain John Tavares (concussion, knee).

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Montreal   Toronto
Jesperi Kotkaniemi 1 Points Auston Matthews 3
Jesperi Kotkaniemi 1 Goals Auston Matthews 1
Joel Armia 1 Assists Auston Matthews 2
N/A Power Play Goals William Nylander 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Carey Price .879 Save Percentage Jack Campbell .957
Carey Price 29 Saves Jack Campbell 22
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Montreal 23 1 0-1 4-6 24 19
Toronto 34 5 2-6 1-1 14 37
Upcoming Games
  • Toronto will play their next game on the road against Montreal. The Maple Leafs have a W/L % of .686 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Montreal will play their next game at home against Toronto. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .333 after a win and .516 after a loss.