Maple Leafs beat Ducks 6-4 to end 8-game slide. Matthews injured on knee-on-knee hit

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Toronto Maple Leafs Michael Pezzetta (61) fights with Anaheim Ducks Jeffrey Viel (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) is scored on as Jake McCabe (22), Brandon Carlo (25) and Anaheim Ducks Chris Kreider (20) watch during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs Michael Pezzetta (61) fights with Anaheim Ducks Jeffrey Viel (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

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7:10 PM on Thursday, March 12

The Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — William Nylander broke a tie on a power play 36 seconds into the third period and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Anaheim Ducks 6-4 on Thursday night to end an eight-game losing streak.

The victory was tempered by the loss of captain Auston Matthews on a knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas with four minutes left in the second period. Matthews stayed down favoring his left leg before being helped to the locker room. Gudas was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct.

Matthews scored earlier to end a 12-game goal drought.

Matias Maccell had a goal and two assists, and John Tavares and Benoit-Olivier Groulx also scored. Matthew Knies had three assists to go along with an empty-net goal, and Nylander added two assists. Joseph Woll made 36 saves.

Cutter Gauthier, Ian Moore, Pavel Mintyukov and Alex Killorn scored for Pacific Division-leading Anaheim. Lukas Dostal stopped 22 shots.

The Maple Leafs are 1-6-2 since the Olympic break to sink any realistic hope of a 10th straight playoff appearance. They won at home for the first time since Jan. 10.

Up next

Ducks: At Ottawa on Saturday.

Maple Leafs: At Buffalo on Saturday night.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl