NHL pre-season: Matthews turns heads as Leafs down Canadiens in OT

Auston Matthews didn't score a point in his Toronto Maple Leafs debut, but his gifts were easily apparent at the Air Canada Centre on Sunday night.

Matthews played more than 18 minutes and had two shots in Toronto's 3-2 exhibition overtime win against Montreal, displaying the elite package of skills which helped him become the first player picked No. 1 overall by the Leafs since 1985.

Matt Hunwick scored the overtime winner, joined on the scoresheet by Nikita Zaitsev and Morgan Rielly. Jhonas Enroth and Garret Sparks combined to make 24 saves.

Daniel Audette and Daniel Carr found the back of the net for Montreal, with Mike Condon making 28 stops.

Matthews wore No. 34 and looked at ease right away in his first action as a Leaf, starting on a line with 2014 first-round pick William Nylander and Zach Hyman in his debut.

The Scottsdale, Ariz. native picked the puck off Carr on the backcheck of his very first shift, springing a counter-attack for the home side. Later in the opening period Matthews took a Nylander pass in front and delivered a backhand shot from 17 feet that was turned aside by Condon.

His most impressive play came moments into the second frame. Slashing toward the net, after he raced with speed into the offensive zone, Matthews still managed to whip a shot on goal as he was held by Canadiens defenceman Mikhail Sergachev, who was whistled for a penalty on the play.

All throughout the night his talents were evident, albeit against a Montreal squad that dressed almost no NHL regulars.

Toronto finished with better than 60 per cent puck possession, drawing six power plays along the way.​

Toronto got its first taste of Matthews at the recently completed World Cup of Hockey where the 19-year-old shined alongside Connor McDavid for Team North America. Looking more than ready for NHL competition, Matthews rung up a pair of goals and three points in three games.

Seven of the eight Leafs who represented Toronto at the World Cup made their pre-season debuts on Sunday: Matthews (North America), Zaitsev (Russia), Rielly (North America), Leo Komarov (Finland), Roman Polak (Czech Republic), Milan Michalek (Czech Republic) and van Riemsdyk (USA).

Enroth, who backed up Henrik Lundqvist for Sweden, was playing his second game.

Babcock was also coaching his first game for Toronto after guiding Canada to the World Cup crown.

McDavid leads Oilers to victory

Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist as the Edmonton Oilers beat a Los Angeles Kings split-squad 3-2 on Sunday in NHL pre-season play.

Jesse Puljujarvi and Jordan Eberle also scored for the Oilers at Kal Tire Place, home of the BCHL's Vernon Vipers. Laurent Brossoit got the win.

Paul LaDue and Brayden McNabb found the back of the net for the Kings. Jack Campbell took the loss.​

Milan Lucic dressed against the Kings for the first time since signing a contract with Edmonton in the off-season as a free agent. He played on the Oilers' top line alongside McDavid and Eberle.

Jets blank Flames

Scott Kosmachuk had a goal and two assists and Ondrej Pavelec made 31 saves as the Winnipeg Jets shut out the Calgary Flames 4-0 on Sunday night.

Kosmachuk opened the scoring 4:48 into the first period, converting a slick feed from Chase De Leo on a 2-on-1.

The 22-year-old right winger was in the right spot to pick up an assist on the Jets second goal. Flames defenceman Brett Kulak tried to slap the puck around the end boards. Instead it drilled Kosmachuk in the shin and caromed out front where Ben Chariot knocked it in.

Mark Stuart made it 3-0 at 8:54 of the second on a 4-on-2, ripping a shot over the glove of Chad Johnson, assists going to Kosmachuk and De Leo.

Paul Postma also scored for Winnipeg (3-1-0).

Canucks fall to Sharks

Matt Nieto scored his second goal of the game in overtime as the San Jose Sharks defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Sunday in NHL pre-season action at Rogers Arena.

Kevin Labanc also scored for the Sharks (3-0-0), who stayed undefeated in exhibition play.

Anton Rodin and Tuomo Ruutu scored in regulation for Vancouver (1-1-2).