Not only do the B's have to find a way to score goals of their own, they're tasked with shutting down Auston Matthews in the Maple Leafs' sniper's return on Saturday night.

The Bruins’ issues compounded. Knies sent the puck down the right-side wall just before Zadorov got in his face. Matthews carried his momentum deep into the Bruins’ end. Because of his speed and size, Matthews overwhelmed Charlie McAvoy on the end boards to win the 50-50 race.

But the Bruins rallied quickly. Just 12 seconds after Knies’ goal the rebound of Charlie McAvoy’s shot from the point, plopped in front of goalie Joseph Woll. Pavel Zacha alertly shuffled it to Morgan Geekie, who was moving in from the left wing. He tapped it in before Woll could lunge back through traffic to make it 2-1.

Matthew Knies recorded his first career hat trick and added two assists as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Boston Bruins 6-4 on Saturday night. Mitch Marner added an empty-net goal and four assists for the Maple Leafs, who have won three games in a row.

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were honored as part of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Quarter-Century First Team. The Leafs recognized players who have made a significant impact for the franchise since Jan. 1, 2000. Matthews shared his thoughts on the same after Saturday's win over the Boston Bruins:

Auston Matthews was full of praise for rookie Matthew Knies after the young forward scored a hat trick in the Toronto Maple Leafs' dominating 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday night at Scotia

Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) celebrates his goal with teammates Mitch Marner (16) and Auston Matthews (34 ... (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic (11) celebrates his goal with teammates on the ...

Matthew Knies recorded his first career NHL hat trick and Mitch Marner had a goal and four assists Saturday, lifting Toronto to a 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins in Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews return from injury.

Jan 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Justin Brazeau (55) and defenceman Nikita Zadorov (91) congratulate forward Trent Frederic ... in a row. Auston Matthews (upper-body ...

A difficult tilt will be made even harder with the return of Auston Matthews ... John Beecher and Cole Koepke (Oliver Wahlstrom-Trent Frederic-Justin Brazeau is the other unit), goes into the ...

TORONTO — The return from injury of Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews proved to ... Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic also scored for Boston (20-17-4) in the finale of a three-game ...