Auston Matthews Scores Two Goals in Return to Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews missed 14 games with a left shoulder injury before returning to action in the Leafs’ November 28th game against the San Jose Sharks. He did not accumulate any rust while recovering; Matthews scored two goals and had an assist as Toronto beat the Sharks 5-3 in Toronto. The 21 year old had gotten off to a terrific start before the injury. He now has 12 goals and seven assists in just 12 games.

John Tavares also scored a pair of goals. The former New York Islander star center has 17 goals and 13 assists in 26 games, and is one of the reasons the Leafs were able to weather the storm while Matthews was out. Toronto swept its two game regular season series with the Sharks, winning both games 5-3.

The victory allowed the Maple Leafs to keep pace with the red hot Buffalo Sabres. The two are tied for 1st in both the Atlantic Division as well as the entire Eastern Conference with 36 points. The Sabres and Maple Leafs will play each other for the first time this season on December 4th in Buffalo.