December 25, 2024

Samsonov, Maple Leafs blank last-place Ducks 7-0

Kerfoot #Kerfoot

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) makes a save against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by The Associated Press Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) makes a save against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO (AP) — Mitch Marner had two assists to extend his point streak to 23 games and Ilya Samsonov made 28 saves for his second straight shutout as the Toronto Maple Leafs thumped the lowly Anaheim Ducks 7-0 on Tuesday.

Alexander Kerfoot scored twice for Toronto (19-5-6), while John Tavares and Pierre Engvall each had a goal and an assist.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) is scored on by Toronto Maple Leafs' TJ Brodie (not shown) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by The Associated Press Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) is scored on by Toronto Maple Leafs’ TJ Brodie (not shown) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Michael Bunting, TJ Brodie and Joey Anderson provided the rest of the offense.

Conor Timmins registered a trio of assists for the first three-point performance of his career. Rasmus Sandin had two assists and Pontus Holmberg had three.

Toronto Maple Leafs' Alexander Kerfoot, right, celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks with teammate Mark Giordano during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by The Associated Press Toronto Maple Leafs’ Alexander Kerfoot, right, celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks with teammate Mark Giordano during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

John Gibson allowed two goals on 27 shots for last-place Anaheim (7-20-3) before being replaced in the second period by Lukas Dostal, who finished with 10 stops after starting Monday’s 3-0 loss against Ottawa.

Marner is now three games back of Patrick Kane (2015-16) for the longest point streak among active NHL players.

The winger has 11 goals and 21 assists during his red-hot run that started Oct. 27 at San Jose.

The Leafs, meanwhile, have at least a point in 15 consecutive games (12-0-3) and can tie the franchise record of 16 straight Saturday at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers.

Kerfoot opened the scoring at 1:58 of the first period off a pass from Engvall for his third of the season.

Marner, who had an assist against the Ducks in late October in the third game of his streak, got on the scoresheet at 8:41 following a backhand feed to Tavares for the captain’s 14th after Timmins kept the puck in at the blue line.

Toronto Maple Leafs' Alexander Kerfoot (15) plays the puck as Anaheim Ducks' Brett Leason (20) and Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) look on during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by The Associated Press Toronto Maple Leafs’ Alexander Kerfoot (15) plays the puck as Anaheim Ducks’ Brett Leason (20) and Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) look on during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Samsonov had to be sharp at the other end on a couple Anaheim chances, including off a scramble with Mason McTavish lurking.

Toronto Maple Leafs' Joey Anderson (28) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks with Zach Aston-Reese during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP): Ducks Maple Leafs Hockey © Provided by The Associated Press Ducks Maple Leafs Hockey

Brodie stretched Toronto’s lead to 3-0 with his first of the season at 12:16 of the second after Dostal replaced Gibson.

Samsonov, who blanked Los Angeles 5-0 on Thursday, then stopped Max Comtois on a breakaway before Bunting scored his sixth off a rebound at 16:33.

Anaheim Ducks' goaltender John Gibson (36) makes a save on Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP): Ducks Maple Leafs Hockey © Provided by The Associated Press Ducks Maple Leafs Hockey

Kerfoot got his second of the night at 2:37 of the third for the forward’s first two-goal game since April 2, 2019, when he was with Colorado.

Engvall made it 6-0 with his fifth at 5:42 before Anderson scored his first with 1:40 left in regulation.

GIO MILESTONE

Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano picked up the 400th assist of his career on Kerfoot’s second goal.

ENGVALL RETURNS

The Leafs forward was back in the lineup after sitting out Saturday’s 5-4 OT victory over Calgary as he served a one-game suspension for high-sticking on Los Angeles defenseman Sean Durzi.

UP NEXT

Leafs: Visit the Rangers on Thursday.

Ducks: Visit the Canadiens on Thursday.

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AP NHL: www.apnews.com/hub/NHL and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

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