MATTHEWS AND LEAF ROOKIES LIFT MAPLE LEAFS IN CLASSIC START TO CENTENNIAL

The Red Wings erased a 4-1 deficit in the third period – including the tying goal with 1.1 seconds remaining in regulation – but Auston Matthews (2-0—2) scored at 3:40 of overtime to power the Maple Leafs to a victory in the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, their fifth straight win overall.

Matthews (20-12—32 in 36 GP), who registered his first career overtime goal, became the first rookie to reach the 20-goal milestone this season – and also tied Kings forward Jeff Carter (37 GP) for second place in the entire League.

Matthews now paces rookies in goals (20), points (32) and game-winning goals (t-3) this season. He has 6-3—9 during a six-game point streak and 14-5—19 in 17 outings dating to Nov. 23.

Rookies accounted for four of Toronto’s five goals, with Connor Brown (1-2—3) and Mitchell Marner providing the other tallies. The Maple Leafs boast three of the top four rookie scorers in the NHL this season: Matthews (1st; 20-12—32), Marner (3rd; 9-18—27) and William Nylander (4th; 8-17—25), who picked up one assist on Sunday.

Seven of the nine goals in the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic were scored by players age 22 or younger: Toronto’s Auston Matthews (2x, 9/17/97), Connor Brown (1/14/94) and Mitchell Marner (5/5/97), and Detroit’s Anthony Mantha (2x, 9/16/94) and Dylan Larkin (7/30/96).

NHL NEWS AND MUSINGS

• Ducks goaltender John Gibson (51 SV) set a career high and matched a franchise record for saves in one game, last achieved by Jonas Hiller on Dec. 19, 2008 at EDM
• Teammate Ryan Kesler registered his fourth career hat trick
• Capitals defenseman Taylor Chorney posted his second career game-winning goal (130 GP) and first since Feb. 15, 2011 (w/ EDM)
• The NHL suspended Coyotes defenseman Anthony DeAngelo for three games for violating Rule 40.4 (Physical Abuse of Officials)
• Centennial Ambassador Wayne Gretzky dropped the ceremonial opening puck prior to the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic.

SUNDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
TORONTO 5, Detroit 4 (OT)
WASHINGTON 2, Ottawa 1
ANAHEIM 4, Philadelphia 3 (SO)

MONDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Chicago @ St. Louis, TBA,
Boston @ New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Colorado @ Vancouver, 10 p.m.