Matthews scores twice as Leafs beat Blue Jackets 4-1

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Auston Matthews added to his torrid stretch with two goals and an assist, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 in National Hockey League action on Saturday night.

Matthews scored for the seventh consecutive game. He has 12 goals during the streak, running his NHL-leading total to 28 on the season.

William Nylander had a short-handed goal and two assists, extending his point streak to 11 games while helping Toronto stop a two-game slide. John Tavares also scored, and Mitchell Marner had two assists.

Columbus Blue Jackets’ Johnny Gaudreau, left, keeps the puck away from Toronto Maple Leafs’ David Kampf during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Columbus lost centre Sean Kuraly with 18.3 seconds left in the first period after he suffered an abdominal injury and was helped to the locker room. The period was suspended and the remaining time was played just before the start of the second.

The Blue Jackets said the injury did not appear to be serious, but Kuraly was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

Justin Danforth scored for Columbus, which has lost four straight at home. Daniil Tarasov stopped 26 shots.

Matthews put Toronto in front with a one-timer 8:20 into the first. He is the first player with 27 or more goals through the first 30 games of a season since Jaromir Jagr in the 1996-1997 season.

The teams traded goals to start the second. Danforth tied it with his eighth of the season at 22 seconds, and Tavares made it 2-1 at 2:58 during a stretch of 4-on-4 play.

Matthews added to Toronto’s lead with a power-play goal at 8:21 of the second. Nylander made it 4-1 with his 16th of the season 11:51 into the third.

Maple Leafs goaltender Martin Jones made 27 saves.

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Columbus Blue Jackets’ Kent Johnson, right, carries the puck across the blue line as Toronto Maple Leafs’ Simon Benoit defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Maple Leafs: Host Ottawa on Wednesday.

Blue Jackets: Visit New Jersey on Wednesday.

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