TORONTO -- Auston Matthews scored for the fourth straight game and had an assist for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 5-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. The goal was also Matthews’ seventh in the past seven games.

TORONTO (AP) — Matthew Knies had two goals and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs held on late to down the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 on Monday night. Auston Matthews and William Nylander also scored for Toronto. Joseph Woll made 27 saves. Mitch Marner added an empty-net goal and two assists.

Matthews and Nylander both scored two goals as Toronto battled back from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits in the third period to beat New Jersey 4-3.

That wasn’t how Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube might have drawn up a victory. Fall into a hole, roar back, and never look back. In beating the Montreal Canadiens 7-3 on Saturday night, the Leafs stunned the Bell Centre crowd.

When Auston Matthews is lightning the lamp, there is no worry for the Toronto Maple Leafs when it comes to generating offense. Matthews had his second multi-goal game of the season when the Maple Leafs defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in overtime to snap a season-high three-game losing streak.

The 2024-25 season hasn’t gone exactly to plan for Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. On top of the injury problems, his production has suffered a bit, particularly with his goal totals with just 17 in 31 games after scoring 69 in 81 last season.