William Nylander had a goal and two assists Saturday night, and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Vancouver Canucks 5-0.
Joseph Woll made 29 saves to earn his second shutout of the season and the fourth of his career.
Matias Maccelli, Max Domi, John Tavares and Nicholas Robertson also scored for the Maple Leafs, who are 7-0-2 over their last nine contests.
Thatcher Demko allowed three goals in six shots in the first period. Kevin Lankinen took over in goal starting with the second period and allowed two goals on 18 shots, as the Canucks lost their sixth in a row (0-4-2).
The Maple Leafs led 3-0 after one period despite being outshot 15-6 by the Canucks, who dropped the first three of a six-game road trip.
Maccelli scored a power-play goal at 8:03 from the edge of the crease on a pass from Nylander, who returned after missing six games with a lower-body injury. Aatu Raty was serving a tripping penalty.
A neutral zone turnover led to Toronto’s second goal with Domi scoring on a wrist shot from the left circle at 16:31. Troy Stecher earned the assist.
Nylander added to the lead at 19:40. He steamed down the right wing and took a cross-ice pass from Steven Lorentz before cutting across the front of the net to tuck in a backhander.
Vancouver failed to convert on four first-period power plays. The Canucks were 0-for-6 on the power plays in the game.
Toronto took a 4-0 lead at 13:07. Nylander pounced on a Vancouver turnover and his quick pass sprung Tavares, who scored on a shot to the top right corner.
Raty’s deflection pinged off the right goal post at 14:45 of the third period to preserve Woll’s shutout bid.
Robertson snapped home a 20-footer at 19:46 of the third period during a power play.
Toronto defenseman Jake McCabe returned after missing two games with a lower-body injury and logged 17:58 of ice time with one shot on goal.
The Maple Leafs play their next four games on the road.
–Field Level Media
