Matthew Knies vaults Maple Leafs past Senators

Matthew Knies had two goals and an assist Saturday night and the Toronto Maple Leafs held on to defeat the visiting Ottawa Senators 7-5.

Auston Matthews added a goal and two assists for the Maple Leafs, who have won two in a row.

Nicholas Robertson contributed a goal and an assist while William Nylander, Bobby McMann and John Tavares (empty net) also scored. Max Domi had three assists, Matias Maccelli had two assists and Joseph Woll made 26 saves.

Jordan Spence had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who have lost two straight.

Nick Cousins, Ridly Greig and Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle also scored. Claude Giroux and Stephen Halliday each had two assists. Linus Ullmark allowed four goals on 14 shots for Ottawa before Leevi Merilaine replaced him in the second period and yielded two goals on 18 shots.

Toronto's struggling power play snapped a 0-for-12 drought 40 seconds into the first period. Matthews sent a backhand saucer pass that connected with Nylander, who was driving to the net. Fabian Zetterlund was off for interference.

Toronto scored another goal with the man advantage at 14:42 of the first. Domi made a short pass from the left circle to the high slot and Knies wired a one-timer. Brady Tkachuk was off for tripping.

Cousins jammed in a rebound at 17:50 of the first.

Ottawa tied the game 18 seconds into the second period. Greig was brought down by Philippe Myers and the two crashed into Woll as the puck crossed the line. It was determined as a goal after a video review.

Toronto regained the lead at 3:28 of the second when McMann knocked in a loose puck that sat in the crease during a scramble.

Matthews scored on a rebound at 7:28 of the second. Merilaine replaced Ullmark. Robertson scored at 8:32.

Nylander left during the second period with a lower-body injury and did not return.

Batherson scored 14 seconds into the third period and Stutzle fired a laser from the high slot at 5:07.

Knies restored the two-goal margin 46 seconds later, sweeping in a backhand.

Ottawa responded with Spence's goal on a rebound at 9:18.

Tavares scored into an empty net at 18:44.

--Field Level Media