Captain Auston Matthews praises Maple Leafs’ resilience after OT win to end regular season (Source: Imagn)

Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs ended their regular season with a 4-3 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. The game had no impact on the standings as Toronto had already secured the Atlantic Division. Detroit was eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the week.

After the game, Leafs captain Auston Matthews said he liked how the team handled difficult moments this season. He mentioned that different players stepped up when needed.

“I think it’s just exciting. You go through 82 games, lots of ups, lots of downs,” Auston Matthews said (1:06 onwards). “You try to find your footing at times, but I like the way we’ve responded when we’ve had adversity.

“It’s inevitable that you’ll have those moments, and the way we’ve responded has been great. It’s taken all 20 guys in the room some nights—other guys leading the way, goaltending, stuff like that.”

Matthews scored in the first period, marking his third straight game with a goal. But following that, Detroit scored three consecutive goals to make it 3-1. Philippe Myers cut the lead to 3-2, and Chris Tanev tied the game 3-3 with only two seconds left in regulation.

Mitch Marner set him up with a centering pass. Toronto had pulled Joseph Woll for an extra attacker before Tanev scored from the slot. Scott Laughton scored the winner 56 seconds into overtime. He put in a rebound after Dakota Mermis’ shot bounced off the end boards.

Woll made 31 saves in the win. Marner had two assists. Coach Craig Berube said the team lost structure in the second period but played better in the third.

“We were fortunate to get that tying goal,” he said (via NHL.com). “Guys did what they had to do.”

Toronto finished the season with a 13-2-1 record in the last 16 games. They won five straight to close the season. Eight of those wins were by two goals or fewer.

The Maple Leafs will face the Ottawa Senators in the First Round. Game 1 is on Sunday in Toronto.

Auston Matthews gave credit to his team for scoring 400th NHL goal

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews scored his 400th NHL goal against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. He reached the milestone in 628 games. Matthews said the goal was not just about him and called it a team effort.

“In the end, it’s a team accomplishment,” Matthews said. “It’s a team sport—there’s a lot that goes into it. Just fortunate that it’s come off my stick a couple times. It means a lot. This group’s been really supportive all year.”

Matthews was drafted first overall in 2016 by the Maple Leafs. He has won the Rocket Richard Trophy three times. Last season, he scored 69 goals. He is only 20 goals behind Mats Sundin, who leads the team with 420 goals.