Matthews hits 40 goals for 3rd straight season as Maple Leafs hold off Blue Jackets

Auston Matthews became the first player to score 40 goals this season, Petr Mrazek made 31 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs held off the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 on Monday night.

Elvis Merzlikins, starting his third game in four days for Columbus, made 28 saves, but it wasn't enough to prevent a third straight loss for the Blue Jackets, who dropped a back-to-back over the weekend.

Sean Kuraly, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jack Roslovic and Patrik Laine scored for Columbus. Gus Nyquist and Max Domi each had two assists.

The Maple Leafs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in a dominant first period. The Blue Jackets had tied it by early in the third period, but let it slip away.

After bringing sustained early pressure in the Columbus end, Mikheyev beat Merzlikins 8:06 into the game.

Marner scored off a rebound from Bunting's long shot with 5:59 left in the first. Matthews got his league-leading 40th goal about three minutes later with a wraparound shot to the far post.

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