Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews’ first goal of the 2024 postseason couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft scored the go-ahead goal in Toronto’s 3-2 Game 2 win over the Bruins on Monday night to tie the series at one game apiece.
Matthews led the league in goals (69) this season. His goal against the Bruins came a week shy of the one-year anniversary of his last postseason goal, in Game 6 of Toronto’s 2023 first-round series with the Lightning. He had gone six consecutive playoff games without recording a goal, which was tied for the longest streak of his career.
The two-time All-Star’s imprint was all over Game 2 as he assisted on the Maple Leafs’ other two goals. Toronto will need more performances like the one Matthews had on Monday if it wants to avoid another first-round exit.
He’s reached the postseason in each of his first eight seasons in the league but only has made it to the second round once.
Game 3 in the series in Toronto on Wednesday night.