TORONTO — Goalie Martin Jones’s outstanding 38-save performance led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a dominant 7-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. Jones, making only his second start of the season for the Maple Leafs, achieved his first shutout, contributing significantly to Toronto’s decisive victory.
Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi, Matthew Knies, William Nylander, and Mitchell Marner were key contributors for the Maple Leafs (16-6-6), who are now on a nine-game point streak (6-0-3). The team’s depth was on full display, stepping up in the absence of center Auston Matthews and defenseman TJ Brodie, both out due to illness.
The Penguins (13-13-3), starting Tristan Jarry in goal, found themselves trailing early and couldn’t recover. Jarry allowed four goals on 14 shots before being replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic, who made 18 saves. The loss marked the Penguins’ fifth in their last six games.
The Maple Leafs’ offensive onslaught began early, with Knies opening the scoring in the first period. Marner and Bobby McMann extended the lead, with McMann celebrating his first NHL goal. Domi and John Tavares further widened the gap in the second period, and Noah Gregor and Nylander added goals in the third.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged the team’s lackluster performance, while captain Sidney Crosby pointed out the dangers of trying to chase the game against a team like Toronto.
Toronto’s relentless attack was complemented by Jones’s solid goaltending, as he maintained a perfect record throughout the game. “We were just solid, honestly,” Jones said, praising his team’s overall effort and the penalty kill.
NOTES:
- Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren returned to action after missing 17 games due to injury.
- The Maple Leafs achieved a rare feat of scoring seven-plus goals in a shutout win, a milestone they’ve reached only four times in the past 45 years.
- Matthew Knies secured a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, scoring a goal, getting into a fight, and recording an assist.
- Marner, Tavares, and Nylander extended their respective point streaks, underlining their offensive prowess.
- Penguins defenseman Kris Letang struggled, finishing minus-4 in his ice time.
The Maple Leafs will look to continue their impressive form, while the Penguins will aim to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming games.
