TORONTO -- Auston Matthews had two goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who scored three times in the third period to defeat the Nashville Predators 3-2 at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. Matthews has three goals and two assists in three games since returning from a nine-game absence because of an upper-body injury.

Auston Matthews scored twice early in the third period and the Toronto Maple Leafs went on to defeat the visiting Nashville Predators 3-2 on Wednesday night.

The Maple Leafs found some easy prey on Wednesday night. On the shoulders of captain Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, the Leafs beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 at Scotiabank Arena. The Leafs didn’t have much going on offence through 40 minutes and trailed 1-0.

Filip Forsberg (723) is one game from passing Martin Erat (723) for the fourth-most in franchise history; is three power-play goals (78) from passing Shea Weber (80) for the most in Predators history; and is four goals from 300 in his NHL career.