Brock Nelson was shooting darts into the Toronto net Sunday afternoon, scoring a hat trick and leading the Avalanche to a 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
The Leafs have now lost four in a row, managing only one point during a streak that is seriously compromising their playoff hopes.
Nelson scored his first of the game 6:49 into the opening period, beating Joseph Woll glove side from just outside the face-off dot.
Nelson added another goal 1:12 later, snapping a shot by Woll from just above the goal line.
Jack Drury extended the Avalanche lead to 3-0 late in the second, a snipe from inside the circle at 18:53.
Nelson finished off his hat trick with an empty net goal at 17:41 of the third period.
Max Domi denied Mackenzie Blackwood a shutout, sneaking a goal in from behind a crowded front of the net, making the final 4-1.
Next up, Toronto welcomes the red-hot Buffalo Sabres to Scotiabank Arena Tuesday night.
