TAMPA, Fla. — Auston Matthews fired 12 shots on net and chimed another off the crossbar.
The Maple Leafs sniper desperately chasing history had another chance at a yawning cage blocked by a defender completely unaware the puck was headed his way.
Looking to become the first NHL player to score 70 goals in more than three decades, Matthews came up just short.
Toronto's brightest star can now turn the page — and his attention — to the playoffs.
Matthews was held in check for the second straight night Wednesday in a 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, finishing the schedule with an eye-popping 69 goals in 81 games.