Matthews lauds Leafs equipment manager's 'third assist'

Auston Matthews stole the show with two goals and an assist in his return to the lineup Wednesday night, but an unlikely source provided another crucial helper that didn't show up in the boxscore.

Toronto Maple Leafs assistant equipment manager Bobby Hastings chipped in by handing Mitch Marner a new stick on the fly to facilitate John Tavares' late first-period goal in a 5-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks.

"Third assist!" Matthews joked postgame to reporters, including TSN's Mark Masters. "Put it on the scoresheet. That was unbelievable. The second that puck hit Mitch's stick (Hastings) had (a new stick) right over my head ready for him."

Here's a look at how it unfolded:

Mitch Marner shows love to the Leafs equipment manager for the assist on his assist pic.twitter.com/X86m2niCvO

- Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) November 29, 2018

Marner initially tried to pretend his stick didn't break but Hastings knew, according to Masters.

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