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Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews pointed out the defensive breakdown and leaky goaltending as the two glaring issues that turned a winnable game into a 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.The Blue Jackets fired 26 shots on net, with six finding the back of the net before Toronto's late push in the third period. Goalie Anthony Stolarz faced 29 shots and allowed six goals, while Columbus capitalized on odd-man rushes and shot chances created by the Leafs' inability to clear the zone or win puck battles.Speaking to the media after the game, Auston Matthews said:"I think I don't think it's an effort thing. I think guys worked hard. I thought we competed. I thought we had a lot of offensive zone time. Just when breakdowns happen and mistakes happen, they just are too big of breakdowns and too big of mistakes."He added:"We're giving up too many odd-man rushes, and the puck's just going in the back of our net. So, I mean, that's on us to obviously correct those and support each other all throughout the ice and not give up those bad mistakes like that, because you play good teams, and it ends up in the back of your net. But I think it's more of a cerebral thing than an effort thing."Auston Matthews, who has accumulated eight points through five goals and three assists this season, has notched only a goal and an assist in the last five games.Auston Matthews lauds John Tavares after his 500th career goalJohn Tavares became the 49th player in NHL history to score 500 career goals. He reached the milestone after scoring at 15:45 of the third period to make it 6-2 for the Maple Leafs during Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jackets.After the game, Matthews heaped praise on Tavares:“It's amazing,” he said via NHL. “I can't say enough great things about Johnny, the person that he is, the teammate, the professional, the guy that shows up to the rink every day and is one of the hardest workers, takes care of himself in all different ways."Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs are fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 5-5-1 record. They will be on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers next on Saturday.
