TORONTO — William Nylander and Auston Matthews each scored twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs overwhelmed the New Jersey Devils 8-3 to seize a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Final.
Toronto settled the outcome early, exploding for five goals in the opening period to take a 5-2 lead into the first intermission.
Defense tightened in the second period, though the Leafs still managed to extend the advantage to 6-2. Jesper Bratt scored early in the third to pull New Jersey within three, but Toronto answered with two more goals to complete the rout.
Nylander continues to drive Toronto’s offense. Through two games against the Devils, he has recorded three goals and two assists. Overall, he leads the Maple Leafs in playoff scoring with 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists).
Goaltender Joseph Woll has also been a major factor in Toronto’s postseason run, improving to 10-1-2 with a 2.17 goals-against average.
