Matthews scores two, but Maple Leafs lose game and playoff ground

In a surprising turn of events, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored two goals in a game that ultimately resulted in a 6-5 loss to the New Jersey Devils on March 28, 2023. This defeat not only marked a disappointing outcome for the Maple Leafs but also hindered their chances of securing home-ice advantage in the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Before this matchup, there was a strong possibility that Matthews could potentially reach an impressive milestone of 70 goals in a single season. With his early strikes against the Devils, he managed to bring his tally to 68 goals, leaving only two more to achieve this feat. However, the team's performance as a whole faltered, allowing the Devils to mount a comeback and secure the victory.

The Devils, who had already been eliminated from playoff contention, capitalized on the Maple Leafs' mistakes and scored six unanswered goals to take a commanding lead. Despite Matthews' best efforts to keep Toronto in the game with his two goals, the team was unable to recover and ultimately suffered a demoralizing loss.

This defeat was a significant setback for the Maple Leafs, who were aiming to secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. With this loss, they now find themselves in a precarious position, as they trail the Boston Bruins by just a few points for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins currently hold home-ice advantage due to their superior record, making it crucial for the Maple Leafs to regroup and focus on winning their remaining games to secure a favorable position in the postseason.

In summary, Auston Matthews' impressive performance with two goals was not enough to prevent a disappointing loss for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the New Jersey Devils. This setback not only denied Matthews a chance to reach the 70-goal mark but also hindered Toronto's pursuit of home-ice advantage in the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team will need to regroup and focus on winning their remaining games to secure a favorable position in the postseason.