Matthews scores in 700th NHL game as Maple Leafs beat Blue Jackets 6-2

Auston Matthews scored and added an assist in his 700th NHL game as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, October 20, according to the Associated Press. Toronto scored four straight goals in the second period to take control and secure its second road win of the season.

How Toronto took control in the second period

Columbus led first through Jake Christiansen, whose goal at 2:38 of the opening period was his first of the season. Kirill Marchenko tied it with a power-play goal at 8:16. In his first visit since being traded by Columbus, Marchenko faced boos from the crowd, AP reported. A Kent Johnson one-timer appeared to restore the Blue Jackets’ lead, but the goal was waved off because time had expired.

Charlie Coyle scored his first goal of the season at 4:13 of the third period to cut the deficit to 5-2. Marshall Rifai restored Toronto’s four-goal margin with 3:02 remaining. Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz stopped 33 shots.

Matthews’ milestone and the Blue Jackets’ second-period struggles

The Maple Leafs’ game-day preview identified the Columbus matchup as the occasion for Matthews to reach 700 career NHL games once he took the ice. AP reported that his goal and assist brought him to 16 goals and 27 points in 21 career games against the Blue Jackets.

Cowan and Roslovic each finished with a goal and two assists. Nylander had a goal and an assist, while Morgan Rielly supplied three assists. Colton Sissons assisted on Nylander’s goal, extending his points streak to four games, AP reported.

The second-period burst added to a recurring problem for Columbus: the Blue Jackets had been outscored 15-3 in that period through eight games, according to AP. The loss was their fourth in five games.

Upcoming games for Toronto and Columbus

Toronto is scheduled to host the New York Rangers on Thursday night. Columbus is due to host Vegas on Saturday, AP reported.