Auston Matthews scores twice, but the Maple Leafs lose the game and advance to the playoffs.

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At one stage it looked like Auston Matthews might open the door to 70 goals a night.

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The Maple Leafs then lost the game and the playoff race for home ice advantage 6-5 to the eliminated New Jersey Devils. Combined with the University of Florida-Columbus win, Toronto will have three games remaining to erase a five-point deficit over the second-place Panthers, including the penultimate game at Sunrise.

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After two early goals took him to 68 points, passing Dave Keown for third place in the club’s history with 366 points, his line’s momentum was halted by the well-intentioned defending of Max Domi. The latter received an incitement, felony, and misconduct charge in retaliation for when Simon Nemec rubbed Matthews.

“I saw Auston and (Nemec) fighting out of the corner of my eye, and I’m not a fan of that,” Domi said.

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His teammates and coach Sheldon Keefe liked it, too, and it resulted in the trio, including left winger Tyler Bertuzzi, playing extra minutes late in the third period. Meanwhile, the Leafs allowed the last of three power-play goals by the Devils and Jesper Bratt’s game-winner with 74 seconds left.

“Max responded to a situation that he felt needed to be addressed,” Keefe said. “But it does affect the game. Not only do you have to score a penalty, but you disrupt the flow of the bench for 17 minutes. But in the end it’s about managing the game (under such adverse conditions). We have to. It was a strange match.”

Matthews is just two away from becoming the first NHLer to reach 70 points since Alex Mogilny and Teemu Selanne scored 76 points in 1992-93. In addition to overtaking Keion, he also surpassed Mats Sundin for the most even-strength goals in the club’s history (274). But when Blatt led Jersey 5-4, he was in the rare minors.

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“At times it was sloppy and not as coordinated as it should have been,” Matthews said. “They have a lot of speed and skill, and if you’re careless with the puck, you’re going to pay for it.

“With three games left, we want to make sure these little details are our focus.”

Domi’s resignation created an ad hoc committee consisting of Tavares, William Nylander, and Marner, with Marner joining Matthews and Bertuzzi.

not so special

In addition to a season-high three power pay goals, Toronto’s unit was 3-0 and nearly gave up one shorthanded.

“We don’t seem to be at the level of pace,” Tavares said of the latter. “Moving the puck, getting the puck to the net or players going to the net, how to retrieve the puck. We have some great players.”

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Tavares scored Toronto’s first and last goal.

Sammy’s long night

After doing a great job since mid-January and bringing his once abysmal save percentage closer to .900, Ilya Samsonov has allowed six goals on 20 shots.

Keefe said Tavares’ goal in the first minute was met by Eric Haula on a rebound that was poorly cleared, and Mark Giordano gave Nolan Foote an open slot pass. “Early in the game.” That obviously left him dry.” “He’s been outstanding for us and he’s going to be great next time. One number stood out to me before the game, and it’s notable that he only lost in regulation (6, now 7). It’s worth it.”

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Auston’s Wing Ding?

The focus shifts to Saturday and whether Matthews can score two points in the regular-season finale against the Red Wings at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.

“That would be great, and the 70s is a great round number,” Keefe said. “What he’s doing right now is something a lot of Leaf fans have never seen this many goals for. Wherever this ends up, it’s going to be great to see.

“Tonight was probably the first time I saw him push it a little bit after he got the second one. (The guys) started forcing him to do it and it started to break down. But… He doesn’t need that, just play the game and it’ll get to his stick.”

Both goals involved Bertuzzi and Domi getting deep into the puck, Domi knocking the puck down in the air and Matthews covered, Bertuzzi going to Domi in the back of the goal, and Domi waiting patiently for Matthews in the blue paint. It followed a familiar scenario.

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Game Start

The first 13 minutes of the game had everything going for both clubs, including a touching timeout tribute to Leafs No. 1 pick Rodion Amirov.

Nick Robertson was cited for offside during the Devils’ video challenge, ruining his goal in back-to-back games. He remained in the lineup with bruiser Ryan Reeves, forming the third line with Nylander and Pontus Holmberg, but Matthew Knies’ intriguing move into the fourth line continued. Connor Dewar returned to action and David Kampf set up Toronto’s fifth goal, a great spin-o-rama from the big man.

Defenseman Jake McCabe received an extended night of rest due to what Keefe called a recovery period for a bruise and bruise. Joel Edmundson returned to the blueline after eight games off, but ultimately revealed that the injury was caused by blocking a shot.

Jersey coach Travis Green, who lost to the Leafs two days ago, urged his team to stay focused, and the team responded.

Ihornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby

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