Auston Matthews opens up about his unexpected Michigan attempt during Leafs vs Lightning game

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews opened up about his unexpected Michigan shot attempt during the Leafs' 5-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night.

In the third period, Matthews scooped up a rolling puck and tried to score with a lacrosse-style Michigan shot, but Lightning goalie Jonas Johansson got his shoulder up to make the save.

"I didn't see any other option," Matthews said. "The puck was rolling. It was the beginning of the period, so the tape was fresh. I almost had it. I kinda quit attempting those couple years ago, but I just thought that was a reasonable attempt and had a pretty good opportunity."

It was Matthews' first Michigan attempt in years. He scored earlier in the game, his eighth goal in nine games since returning from an upper-body injury.

“It’s been feeling better each night,” Matthews said about recovering from injury. “Just getting back in a rhythm and playing every night, I think that kind of helps settle back into the season after the time off.

Auston Matthews noted that their line has been excellent in pressuring pucks, generating offense and playing solid defense, and they’re determined to keep the momentum going.

Matthew Knies (two goals), Mitchell Marner and William Nylander also scored for the Leafs, while goalie Joseph Woll stopped 27 shots in the win. Nick Paul (two goals) and Darren Raddysh scored for the Lightning, while Jonas Johansson had 23 saves in the loss.

---

How Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs beat the Lightning

Auston Matthews opened the scoring for the Leafs with just over four minutes into the first period by scoring on a 2-on-1 rush with Mitch Marner.

William Nylander pushed the lead to 2-0 in the second period, scoring on a breakaway at 13:45. Nick Paul cut the lead to 2-1 for the Lightning on a deflected shot from Darren Raddysh at 16:07.

Matthew Knies restored Toronto's two-goal edge for Toronto at 19:37, burying a pass from Marner from the slot. Raddysh then brought Tampa back within one at 8:07 of the third, scoring from the right circle. But Knies scored his second goal on a power play at 10:09, by gathering a rebound of a Marner point shot.

Paul then scored a power-play goal to make it 4-3, but Marner made it 5-3 with an empty-netter at 18:55.