Matthews’ 5th hat trick lifts Maple Leafs to OT victory against Flyers

The Flyers took a 1-0 lead at 7:42 of the first period when Sanheim took a pass in the slot from Laughton and slid a shot past the outstretched right pad of Samsonov for a short-handed goal.

It was Philadelphia’s League-leading 13th of the season and third in their past four games.

Matthews scored three straight goals in 7:49 in the second period.

He tied it 1-1 at 11:06 with a wrist shot past the glove from the top of the left circle and made it 2-1 at 14:20 when he one-timed a pass from Marner at the right face-off dot on the power play.

“I thought Auston was really the catalyst for us [in the second period], not just because he shot the puck in the net, but just the way he competed, won loose pucks, I thought he was a beast for us in that second period,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He really just got us going and set the example of what was required.”

Matthews completed his first career natural hat trick to make it 3-1 at 18:55 when he shot glove side through a screen from the high slot after Liljegren kept the puck in at the blue line.

“I just tried to keep the puck in and kind of want Matthews to touch the puck to get the whistle, but he told me to touch the puck, and then I saw him open in the middle and made the pass,” Liljegren said.

“I’m kind of used to [Matthews getting hat tricks] by now, I guess. It’s just something he does. He goes on a roll and it’s not even that good of scoring chances. He’s a goal scorer, so it’s fun to see.”

NOTES: Matthews (five) tied Darryl Sittler (1980-81), Babe Dye (1924-25) and Reg Noble (1917-18) for the most hat tricks in a single season in Maple Leafs history. He is one of just three players in the past 30 years to record at least five hat tricks in a season, joining Jonathan Cheechoo (five in 2005-06) and Mario Lemieux (six in 1995-96). Matthews recorded his 72nd career multigoal game and passed Sittler for the most in franchise history. … Philadelphia defenseman Cam York left the game in the third period after taking a hit from Simon Benoit in the corner. He did not return and there was no update after the game. … Flyers forward Sean Couturier was named the 20th captain in franchise history on Wednesday.