Maple Leafs rack up 4-2 win over Capitals
TORONTO -- Matt Martin, James van Riemsdyk, Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri each scored one goal and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Washington Capitals 4-2 on Saturday night.
Mitch Marner added two assists for the Maple Leafs (9-8-4), who ended a three-game losing streak, including two in regulation.
Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist and Marcus Johansson scored a goal for the Capitals (13-6-2), who had won their previous two games.
Frederik Andersen made 33 saves in the Toronto goal. Washington goaltender Braden Holtby made 33 saves.
The Maple Leafs took a 1-0 lead at 2:35 of the first period when Martin scored his second goal of the season when a pass from Marner put him in the clear. Tyler Bozak also picked up an assist.
Toronto has scored first in five straight home games and in 10 of the past 12 overall.
The Maple Leafs dominated the first half of the first period, holding a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal and hitting one post.
The Maple Leafs outshot the Capitals 15-6 in the first period.
The Capitals took the first four penalties of the game and the Maple Leafs took advantage of the fourth -- a holding penalty to Karl Alzner -- with van Riemsdyk scoring his ninth goal of the season at 3:28 of the second period for a 2-0 lead. Marner picked up his second assist of the game and Nikita Soshnikov had the other point.
The Capitals had a two-man advantage for 24 seconds in the second period but could not take advantage after the Maple Leafs picked up two quick holding penalties to Zach Hyman and Leo Komarov.
Toronto's advantage in shots on goal had diminished to 26-20 after two periods.
Matthews scored his ninth goal of the season just 22 seconds into the third period with assists to Matt Hunwick and Hyman.
The Capitals spoiled Andersen's attempt for his first shutout of the season at 9:30 of the third period when Backstrom jammed in his sixth goal of the season from the side of the net. There was no assist.
Kadri split the defense to score his ninth goal of the season at 11:50 of the third period on assists from Komarov and Morgan Rielly.
Johansson scored his ninth goal of the season from Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin at 16:44 of the third period.
NOTES: The Capitals were coming off a five-game homestand that ended Friday with a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Washington was 4-1-0 in the five games, outscoring the opposition 17-8. ... The game Saturday was the first of three this season between the Maple Leafs and Capitals. The teams will meet again on Jan. 3 at the Verizon Center before concluding the season series on April 4 at Air Canada Centre. ... The Capitals won all three games with the Maple Leafs last season, one of them in overtime. ... The Maple Leafs play their next game in Edmonton against the Oilers on Tuesday. ... The Capitals are off until Thursday when they are home to the New York Islanders.