PHILADELPHIA — The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies hit for the winner on Tuesday night with less than seven minutes left in the third period to send the Leafs to their fifth straight, 3-2, over the Flyers.
Bobby McMann #74 and John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Egor Zamula #5 and Rasmus Ristolainen #55 of the Philadelphia Flyers and goalie Ivan Fedotov #82 all look for a shot from the point.
“I kind of almost locked eyes with [Morgan Rielly] and I saw that he was kind of looking for a stick to tip it to,” Knies said. “Just trying to free up my hands. Fortunate that tip went in.”
Joseph Woll made 30 saves for the win.
Travis Konecny hit for a double for the Flyers.
“I think we were playing the right way, really aggressive on them in the neutral zone against their top guys,” Flyers forward Noah Cates said. “I think we take some confidence but it really hurts not at least getting a point tonight.”
The Leafs’ Auston Matthews returned to the lined up and scored for Toronto.
“I feel good,” Matthews said. “I think every night I felt better, and just want to keep that momentum going. I think my linemates [Knies and Mitch Marner] are making it easy on me, the chemistry seems to be drawing really well. It always helps when the puck goes in the back of the net, so it kind of gives you a little bit of confidence. I just want to take it one game at a time and just continue to build off our game and what we’re doing right now, and just keep being responsible at both ends of the ice.”
Konecny scored his first in the opening period for a 1-0 lead to the Flyers.
John Tavares hit off the power play in the middle frame to tie the game, 1-1.
“I think it was a great response by our power play,” Tavares said. “Kind of led the way in the sluggishness in the first [period] and got a big goal in the second and our game built from there.”
Konecny picked up his double in the second period, but Matthews tied the game headed to the third.
“He’s special player,” Tavares said. “Obviously a great leader and producing. Great in the face-off circle, PK, winning battles, great defensively. As complete as a player as you’re going to find. Obviously it’s been great having him back here, and he’s kind of jumped in real nicely starting on Saturday. Just seems really in rhythm, his instincts and just the compete level that he has, his willingness to stay on pucks and push the pace with his feet. Little details like that just go a long way and sets the tone for the group.”
Ivan Fedotov made 14 saves. in the loss.
Ivan Fedotov #82 of the Philadelphia Flyers stops Steven Lorentz #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during a breakaway in the second period.
Scott Laughton #21 of the Philadelphia Flyers
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs raises his stick in celebration of his goal in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Travis Konecny #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores his second goal of the night against Joseph Woll #60 of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Ivan Fedotov #82 of the Philadelphia Flyers
John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs shot heads to the top glove side corner for a goal in the second period.
John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Goalie Joseph Woll #60 of the Toronto Maple Leafs deflects a shot as Travis Konecny #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks for a rebound.
Travis Sanheim #6 of the Philadelphia Flyers takes a slap shot against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Travis Konecny #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers
Simon Benoit #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Joseph Woll #60 of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Philadelphia Flyers teammates congratulate Travis Konecny #11 on his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A shot by Travis Konecny #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores against goalie Joseph Woll #60 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period.
Phillippe Myers #51 of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Matthew Knies #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs
John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a face off against Ryan Poehling #25 of the Philadelphia Flyers
Oliver Ekman-Larsson #95 of the Toronto Maple Leafs collides with Travis Konecny #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers while in pursuit of the puck.
