Leafs' Strong Play Without Captain Matthews Is An Encouraging Sign Of Their Competitiveness

The Toronto Maple Leafs were once again without the services of superstar center and captain Auston Matthews Saturday night against the Edmonton Oilers. But in Matthews’ six-game injury-related absence, the Leafs have played some of their best hockey, going 5-1-0 in that span.

Obviously, the Leafs would prefer to have Matthews in their lineup as soon as possible. But they’re not about to rush him back and risk re-aggravating whatever’s wrong with him at the moment. And with the other members of the Buds’ famed ‘Core Four’ playing so well, there’s no need to pressure Matthews to return before he’s 100 percent fully healed and completely ready to do battle.

Indeed, without Matthews on the ice, star right winger Mitch Marner has generated four goals – including the overtime game-winner Saturday – and 10 points in six games. Right winger William Nylander has posted three goals and seven points in that stretch, and center John Tavares has amassed four goals and six points. Combined, that’s a whopping 11 goals and 23 points between the three of them without Matthews on the ice, and that’s more than enough production given the expectations based on the trio’s expensive salaries.

If Toronto was 1-5 without Matthews, you could see why they might quietly put pressure on him to play at less than 100 percent. But the Buds have rallied in his absence, and management can afford to be patient until Matthews is ready to perform night in and night out and play like the leviathan he can be when he’s at his best.

The Leafs have also got terrific secondary scoring from wingers like Matthew Knies (two goals, five points) and Bobby McMann (three goals in his past two games, including two against the Oilers) since Matthews has been out of the lineup. And top defenseman Morgan Rielly has six assists and seven points without Matthews. Toronto’s defense has also taken the pressure off the Buds' forwards, but all-in-all, the Leafs’ solid game has softened the blow of not having Matthews to lean on the way they’ve been accustomed to.

Matthews may not be ready to play again until next weekend when Toronto takes on Utah on Sunday. But missing another game or two isn’t all that big of a problem when so many others are stepping up without Matthews.

The Leafs are proving to be one of the league’s top teams, and when Matthews is back in action, the Buds are going to be all the more dangerous. Giving Matthews a little longer to nurse his wounds is necessary, but nobody is hurrying him back, and that’s a good thing for Toronto’s long-term competitiveness.

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