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By: Konsta Heikkinen and Jaakko Matola

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NASHVILLE - Auston Matthews made an observation Thursday morning about the little space there is to manoeuvre in during games in the final charge to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"At this point of the season, things are always tight," Matthews said, hours before returning from missing 10 games with a shoulder injury, "and there is not a lot of room out there, so you have to find ways to be effective."

The Leafs' best player, playing for the first time since he was hurt on Feb. 22 against the New York Islanders, found a way to be effective at Bridgestone Arena. Matthews scored a highlight-reel goal in the second period as the Leafs put an end to the Nashville Predators' impressive run, handing them their first regulation loss in 16 games with a 5-2 victory.

"I felt fine out there," Matthews said. "Got engaged early, got the puck, was able to make a couple of plays and that builds your confidence the rest of the game."

How did Morgan Rielly, who tied a career-high with three assists, view Matthews' return?

"Nothing new," Rielly said, deadpan. "Back to his usual self."

Overall, the Leafs rebounded well after falling apart in Tampa on Tuesday when they coughed up a three-goal lead and lost.
There was no such meltdown against a Nashville team that had been enjoying a 14-0-1 run - and was atop the National Hockey League standings with 106 points.

Similar to Tuesday, the Leafs had a 3-1 lead entering the third period.

This time, Mitch Marner scored a power-play goal at nine seconds and 31/2 minutes later, Jake Gardiner blasted a shot past Pekka Rinne to supply a four-goal cushion.

In short, the Leafs followed one of their toughest losses of the season with one of their most impressive triumphs. Crucially, they killed off five of the Predators' six power plays and scored two power-play goals themselves.

What does coach Mike Babcock think about his team when it's matched against the NHL's top teams?

"I think the big thing is you enter the playoffs and everybody who gets in believes they have an opportunity," Babcock said. "We haven't secured our spot yet, but we feel we're going to get in.

"We think we're a young team that's getting better all the time. I think (Tomas) Plekanec coming here has given us four lines now we can play at any spot. We're a deeper team right now so that's a positive thing."

Toronto has 44 wins. That's one shy of the franchise record of 45, done three times and most recently in 2003-04.

Matthews gave the Leafs a 2-1 lead at 15:06 of the second period and appeared to be in mid-season form in doing so. Or mid-Matthews form, which is better than anything the majority of NHL players have to offer.

Matthews didn't score on his initial chance as he cut across in front of Rinne, but stuck with it and picked the puck out of several sets of skates. He was too quick for Rinne and shot the puck into the top of the net with his fast-release forehand before the goalie could react.

Matthews has scored in each of the three games this season that was his first upon returning from injury.

Less than two minutes later, William Nylander lifted the pick over Rinne and the Leafs had a 3-1 lead.

James van Riemsdyk is the last guy in the NHL who needed a lucky break, but got one anyway to open the scoring at 4:03. In trying to get the puck to the front of the net, van Riemsdyk slipped it between his legs and it went into the net, off the stick of Predators captain Roman Josi.

Marner had two points to give him 63, two more than he had as a rookie.

With Matthews and Nikita Zaitsev back, only Leo Komarov (leg) remains on the sideline and he won't be back until he gets through his first practice with contact.

The Leafs will have the day off on Friday before playing host to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
JVR'S BIG YEAR NO SHOCK TO PREDS COACH
Peter Laviolette, who coached James van Riemsdyk in Philadelphia for three seasons, was not surprised that the Maple Leafs winger was enjoying a career-best 34-goal season.

"He really fits the NHL," said Laviolette, the coach of the Nashville Predators. "He is a big guy who can skate and he has a really good set of hands. You put him down in front of the net or near the net, he is going to be able to score goals. He has size, speed, skill. When you talk about the NHL, those are things you are talking about in players right now."

With his game-opening tally here on Thursday, van Riemsdyk has eight goals in his past five games. Even if he tails off in the Leafs' final stretch of games, he's going to have a large pay day in unrestricted free agency this summer.

"You like to think you adapt and evolve over the years and get better in certain areas," van Riemsdyk said. "I think I have grown and expanded my game every year."
tkoshan@postmedia.com twitter.com/koshtorontosun

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Matthews back with a bang as Leafs trounce NHL's top team

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NASHVILLE - Auston Matthews made an observation Thursday morning about the little space there is to manoeuvre in during games in the final charge to the Stanley Cup playoffs. "At this point of the season, things are always tight," Matthews said, hours before returning from missing 10 games with a shoulder injury, "and there is not a lot of room out there, so you have to find ways to be effective."

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Trounce - Voittaa selvästi
Observation - Havannointi
Manoeuvre - Liikkua, Liikuskella
Effective - Tehokas
Regulation -  Varsinainen peliaika                            (jääkiekkossa)
Deadpan - Ilmeetön
Atop - Huipulla
Triumph - Voitto, Riemuvoitto
Franchise - Urheiluseura
Initial - Alkuperäinen

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1. Why was Auston Matthews sidelined for 10 games?
2.  How many games had Nashville Predators played without a regulation loss before facing Toronto Maple Leafs?
3. What is the current Toronto Maple Leafs' franchise record for wins in a one season?
4. For what reason Leo Komarov is sidelined?
5. What team Toronto Maple Leafs will face next Saturday?

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1. Auston Matthews scored three goals against Nashville Predators.
2. Toronto played in home arena.
3. Matthews was hurt against New York Islanders
4. James Van Riemsdyk scored third goal for Toronto.
5. Leo Komarov is the only player who is still sidelined from Toronto's roster

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