After latest Auston Matthews hat trick, Leafs beat Flyers in OT

Field Level Media|published: Thu 15th February, 22:04 2024

Feb 15, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) scores his first goal and celebrates with defenseman Timothy Liljegren (37) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. credits: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

William Nylander scored 54 seconds into overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Thursday night.

Nylander, who also had an assist, scored his 27th goal of the season to save the win after Philadelphia tied the game with two third-period goals.

Auston Matthews had his fifth hat trick of the season for Toronto to improve his league-leading total to 45 goals. Mitchell Marner added three assists and Timothy Liljegren had two assists for the Maple Leafs, who have won two in a row. Ilya Samsonov made 29 saves.

Travis Sanheim, Garnet Hathaway and Travis Konecny scored for the Flyers, who had a four-game winning streak end.

Samuel Ersson stopped 24 shots.

Sanheim scored his fifth goal of the season at 7:42 of the first period while the Flyers were killing a penalty. Scott Laughton passed to Sanheim in front of the crease. The play started when Konecny took advantage of Toronto's pinching defense and hit the goal post on a breakaway. It was the Flyers' league-leading 13th short-handed goal this season.

Matthews tied the game at 11:06 of the second period. Toronto took advantage of a slow Flyers line change and Marner's long diagonal pass set up Matthews for a shot from the left circle.

Matthews scored again at 14:20 of the second during a power play on a one-timer from the right circle. Marner made the setup pass and Nylander also earned an assist. Owen Tippett was off for interference.

Matthews gave Toronto a 3-1 lead at 18:55 of the second on a shot from the high slot to complete a natural hat trick.

Toronto has had hat tricks in successive games. Bobby McMann had his first career three-goal game in a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.

Hathaway poked home a rebound for his fifth goal of the season at 14:14 of the third period.

Konecny tied the game with his 26th goal at 15:15 of the third on a power play. Tyler Bertuzzi was off for tripping.

Toronto was without defenseman Morgan Rielly (suspension).

—Field Level Media

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