Tuesday, October 24, 2023 06:00 PM (ET)

Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs handle struggling Capitals

Field Level Media
Oct 24, 2023

Morgan Rielly and Auston Matthews each had a goal and an assist as the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Tuesday night.

John Tavares and William Nylander also scored for the Maple Leafs, who have won two games in a row.

Alex Ovechkin scored for the Capitals, who have lost four of their first five games.

Joseph Woll made 36 saves for the Maple Leafs in a strong effort. Woll was making his second start of the season after a solid game in relief on Saturday, when he did not allow a goal in a 4-3 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Capitals lost despite outshooting Toronto 37-17. Darcy Kuemper stopped 13 shots for the Capitals.

Washington had a power-play goal disallowed for goaltender interference early in the first period. Video review supported Toronto's challenge.

Rielly scored his first goal of the season at 12:53 of the first period on a power play. Timothy Liljegren set him up for a shot from the right faceoff circle. Evgeny Kuznetsov was off for a delay of game (puck over the glass).

Washington had a 17-5 advantage in shots on goal in the first period.

Ovechkin was stopped by Woll when he tried to score on the backhand on a penalty shot at 2:45 of the second period.

Tavares deflected Rielly's shot for his third goal of the season at 5:41 of the second period.

Nylander scored his fifth goal of the season on a 12-foot shot at 6:29 of the second to complete a strong individual effort. Matthews started the play with a smart pass.

Matthews scored his seventh goal of the season with a 26-foot slap shot at 15:07 of the second on a power play. Tom Wilson was off for verbal abuse of an official.

Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season on a wrist shot at 19:49 of the second during a power play. TJ Brodie was off for tripping.

--Field Level Media

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