Auston Matthews is finding his game at the absolute perfect time, and that’s great news for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto’s captain was a force in Saturday night’s 4-3 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets, giving everyone flashbacks of just how good he can be when he’s at the top of his game. Matthews played over 21 minutes in Saturday’s contest, scoring on a blistering wrist shot, proceeded to set up Max Domi’s overtime winner, all while hearing it from the Jets’ faithful. But, as the saying goes, they don’t boo nobodies.
“I don’t mind,” Matthews said post-game. “I mean, I think they’re not booing for no reason, so I kind of just take it as it is and just have fun with it because, a lot of times it’s fun, especially when you’re out on the right side of it like tonight.”
The Maple Leafs showed a ton of character in Winnipeg, ending their four-game road trip on a serious high. Matthews played a huge role in the comeback, as the Leafs were down 2-0 in the second period before he proceeded to score less than 30 seconds later. Winnipeg took a 3-1 lead early in the third period but the Leafs competed, completing the comeback.
“Just battled, competed for a full 60 minutes,” Matthews stated. “I don’t think we ever got down. When we were down throughout the game, I just thought period after period we built our game, and got better as the game went on.”
After the game Matthews was quick to praise Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The veteran blue liner had a fantastic game against the Jets, making key defensive plays to eliminate Jets’ scoring chances, while also racking up a goal and two assists, and a plus-four rating in over 25 minutes of ice time.
“Really nice play by ‘O’ to break up that play in the neutral ice to give us an opportunity to go down there on an odd man rush,” Matthews said when asked about what he saw on the game winner.
“He did it all for us, he does it all for us every night. He kills, he runs the power play, plays big minutes against top lines, and he had a huge night for us. Obviously, that goal, and then the sifter there that Bobby tipped, and then like I said, breaking that play at the end there. He was unbelievable tonight for us.”
Confidence is riding high as there’s a positive vibe around the team currently. If Matthews and Ekman-Larsson continue to be at the top of their games, the Leafs are in very good hands.
“It’s big, it’s big for the confidence. We get to go back on home ice now for a week, week and a half, and this was a tough road trip. Playing some good teams, a lot of travel, this was a tough building to play in here, especially at the end of a road trip. It’s nice to collect these points, get on the good side of it, and be able to get back home feeling good about ourselves, and we’re right back to work Monday.”