Toronto Maple Leafs beat New Jersey Devils 5-2

NEWARK, N.Y. (AP) –

Auston Matthews scored his 66th goal, becoming the ninth player in NHL history to score 70 goals in a season. Toronto The Maple Leafs defeated New Jersey 5-2 on Tuesday night to end the Devils' playoff hopes.

Mark Giordano and Tyler Bertuzzi scored in a nine-second span late in the second period to give the Maple Leafs a 3-2 lead en route to their sixth win in seven games. Nicholas Robertson also scored and Joseph Wall made 18 saves.

Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer scored for New Jersey, and Jake Allen made 32 saves.

Matthews' 66th shot from the rim beat Allen at 7:33 of the final period. He has now scored in six consecutive games. Bertuzzi added his 21st of the season late with an empty net goal.

Matthews' 66 goals are the most in a season among any active player and he still has four games left in the regular season. Washington's Alex Ovechkin held the previous mark among active players entering a season with 65 points in 2007-08.

After Mercer gave the Devils a 2-1 lead early in the second period, Allen kept New Jersey in the lead until Bertuzzi tipped in a great pass from Max Domi. Giordano scored on a penalty shot seconds later.

70 goals in one season

Eight players have scored 70 goals in a regular season, led by Wayne Gretzky, who set the league record with 92 in 1981-82. Others to do so are Brett Hull (three times), Mario Lemieux (twice), Alexander Mogilny, Phil Esposito, Timu Selanna, Jarry Currie and Bernie Nicholls.

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