What Happened
The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, securing their first victory this season against a team with less talent, according to Sportsnet analysis. Auston Matthews contributed two points and William Nylander also had a multi-point night. The game was effectively over with roughly 30 minutes left. The win followed a 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday that dropped Toronto to 3-4-2 and last in the Atlantic Division.
Key Details
- Toronto improved from a 3-4-2 start that had them last in the Atlantic.
- Matthews has 18 points in 11 games, second in the league.
- Seven of Toronto's first eight games were one-goal finishes.
- Columbus's best forward, Adam Fantilli, did not make Sportsnet's preseason top 50 players list.
What It Means
The result supports the view that Toronto's depth can carry it through an 82-game season, per Sportsnet's analysis. The Leafs have more playmaking talent than about half the league, and against Columbus that skill produced a decisive win after a sluggish opening stretch.