Matthews scores 50th, 51st goals in hometown return to help….

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Auston Matthews scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season in his hometown to become the fastest U.S.-born player to reach 50 and help the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the crumbling Arizona Coyotes 6-3 on Wednesday night.

Matthews’ milestone goal came on a power play 5:01 into the game, his 54th game of the season — making him the fastest player to score 50 in a season since Mario Lemieux did it in 50 games in 1995-96. Wayne Gretzky holds the record, scoring his 50th in his 39th game for Edmonton in 1981-82.

Matthews scored off a rebound in the second period to make it 4-2. The 26-year-old center from nearby Scottsdale has nine goals in his last four games and 350 in his career in 535 games.

Matthews and the Maple Leafs sent the Coyotes to their 11th straight loss.

William Nylander also scored twice for the Maple Leafs, who won their fifth in a row — all without forward Morgan Rielly, who was serving final game of a five-game suspension for cross-checking Ottawa’s Ridly Greig for showboating on an empty-net goal. Toronto is 9-0-2 in its last 11 games, and snapped a four-game losing streak against the Coyotes. The teams meet again Feb. 29 in Toronto.

Bobby McMann and John Tavares also scored for Toronto, and Mitch Marner and T.J. Brodie each had three assists. Ilya Samsonov stopped 23 shots.

Matias Maccelli, Barrett Hayton and Dylan Guenther scored for the Coyotes.

Arizona trailed 3-0 after the first period but rallied to get within a goal twice.

Guenther’s goal came late in the second period on a power play, getting Arizona to 4-3. The Coyotes began the third period on the power play with Nylander penalized for tripping, but Samsonov and the Maple Leafs killed the penalty and Nylander scored on a breakaway out of the penalty box for his 31st of the season, making it 5-3.

Before the start of the current NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs had to be enticed by the group of left-wingers they had assembled on their roster.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Knies was coming off an encouraging cameo at the end of the 2022-2023 regular season plus the playoffs. He was looking like a steal as a second-round draft pick.

Free agent addition Tyler Bertuzzi was coming off a standout playoff performance with the Boston Bruins where he registered 10 points in seven games in their first-round loss to the Florida Panthers. In addition, Bertuzzi was not that far removed from a 30-goal season with the Detroit Red Wings.

Nick Robertson was finally healthy and appeared ready to realize his potential.

Despite being surrounded by stars like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares, Bertuzzi and Knies, in particular, have been searching for consistent production.

Port Side Production is Not Matching Potential For the Toronto Maple Leafs

Bertuzzi was expected to slot in on the left with Matthews and Mitch Marner on the Leafs top line. Before long, due to a lack of chemistry and minimal results, Bertuzzi was moved to the second line to play with John Tavares and William Nylander.

The failed connection with Matthews and Marner brings to mind the Nick Ritchie fiasco from the recent past. However, that’s not fair to Bertuzzi. His advanced stats show that he has been effective, but unlucky, due to a deficient shooting percentage.

Playing among the top two lines, though comes with expected production and Bertuzzi has not delivered on that front.

Knies debut last season had the Leafs and their fans salivating at the potential size and skill combination that he brings. Before the season started, and especially after replacing Bertuzzi alongside Matthews and Marner, twenty goals was a reasonable expectation.

Knies has scored 10 goals in 52 games. He has had special moments, but it must be remembered that he is navigating through his first full season. Eighty-two games plus travel and playing against men is a much different beast than the NCAA schedule.

Robertson has also flashed his potential in spurts, showing his speed and quick release. His problem has been earning the trust of head coach Sheldon Keefe to play among the top six forwards with increased ice time.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Need a Boost From the Left-Wing

Led by Nylander and Marner, the Toronto Maple Leafs right-wingers have nearly twice the goals than their left-wing counterparts.

The Leafs have an MVP-caliber center, and two All-Star right-wingers, but no semblance of consistent production from the left side. It’s time for one of Bertuzzi, Knies, or Robertson to step up and deliver.

The good news for the Leafs? Fourth-line left-winger Bobby McMann has contributed five goals in recent games. Bertuzzi busted out of a prolonged slump with a goal against the Anaheim Ducks. Robertson also scored in that game.

Knies had a beautiful goal in the Leafs victory over the St. Louis Blues.manual

The Leafs can only hope this quartet continues their success. If so, a formidable offense will be that much better.