Auston Matthews attempted to score a lacrosse-style goal early in the third period of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"I just didn't see any other option," the Leafs centre explained. "Like, the puck was rolling. It was the beginning of the period so the tape was fresh. I almost had it. I kind of quit attempting those a couple years ago, but that was a reasonable attempt and had a pretty good opportunity there, and almost went in."

The 'Michigan' move by Matthews had fans and teammates buzzing inside Scotiabank Arena.

"I wish it would have went in," said winger Bobby McMann. "I mean, he pulled it off perfectly."

"I was yelling at the TV," said winger Ryan Reaves, who was a healthy scratch. "It's too bad that goalie read it pretty well."

Jonas Johansson made a save, but the play itself seemed to be another sign that Matthews is back to his puck-on-a-string form.

"It's been feeling better each night," Matthews said. "Just getting back in a rhythm. Playing every night, I think that helps settle back into the season when you've had time off."

Matthews played 21 minutes and 56 seconds on Monday, which was his highest total since Dec. 7.

"He is playing at a pretty high level right now," said coach Craig Berube.

The reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner burst down the wing on a 2-on-1 rush in the first period and blasted a shot past Johansson. Matthews beat the Lightning back-up via the five-hole for his eighth goal in nine games since returning from a six-game absence. Matthews also missed nine games earlier in the season to rest and treat a nagging upper-body injury.

"He came back the first time and maybe wasn't fully ready," Reaves noted. "And then he came back after the second stint and looks right back to his form. He's playing just like he was all season last year."

Last year Matthews scored an astounding 69 goals in 81 games.

"A huge boost for our team having that sort of offence," McMann said. "I think the other team, a lot of times, is worrying about him, and sometimes that opens up space for other guys too. So, it's been super helpful. And he's scoring goals at the most opportune times and most important times so it's been nice."

Per NaturalStatTrick.com, shot attempts favoured the Leafs 15-10 when Toronto's top line – Matthews between Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies – was on the ice against the Lightning. That trio made a beautiful passing play in the final minute of the second period, which was finished off by Knies and gave the Leafs a 3-1 lead heading to the intermission.

"The way our line's been playing, just hounding pucks, trying to attack offensively and being good in our own zone as well has been good," Matthews said. "You just want to keep that momentum going."

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Asked about Matthews, Berube ended his answer by talking about Knies, who also added a power-play goal against the Lightning.

"Kniesy, for me, has been driving," Berube said. "He is really playing that power-forward type of game to a tee, in my opinion. It really helps the line."

Minutes earlier, Knies was asked about Berube's north-south system.

"He wants us to play a simple and fast game and that's kind of what my game is to a tee," Knies noted.

The results are coming for the University of Minnesota product. Knies is now up to 18 goals and 13 assists in 46 games. The sophomore star also caught the eye of Lightning coach Jon Cooper.

"It takes good players to be able to be able to play with elite players and for a young kid he's been able to do that," Cooper told reporters. "He's kind of got........

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