November 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\nLeafs fans have held their collective breath this season over whether that rhythm would be felt again.<\/p>\n
Matthews\u2019 health, combined with his ability to get back to his Rocket Richard Trophy-worthy ways, was the most pressing question hanging over the Leafs to start this season. With the loss of one of the NHL\u2019s pre-eminent offensive players in Mitch Marner, it felt like the Leafs might go only as far as Matthews would take them. (Though William Nylander producing like one of the NHL\u2019s best players certainly helps matters.)<\/p>\n
And through the first handful of games, it\u2019s been a case of \u201cIs he back, or isn\u2019t he?\u201d There have been games where Matthews has gotten his otherworldly shot off quickly and effectively. Those games are very quickly followed by games that see Matthews looking like he\u2019s still skating through pain.<\/p>\n
What was most impressive for Matthews through Wednesday\u2019s win was that, after scoring in back-to-back games, there was once again no let-up in his game. Mammoth goalie Vitek Vanecek had no chance of getting a piece of Matthews\u2019 slap shot, his eighth goal of the season. Nor did the Mammoth defenders stand much of a chance keeping the puck away from Matthews in the offensive zone: His ability to move from stealing pucks to sending pucks to teammates was convincing.<\/p>\n
Matthews is now on pace for 47 goals this season. Sniffing 50 goals didn\u2019t seem possible early in the season, when Matthews looked like he was labouring at times.<\/p>\n
But the slap shot that found that top corner and gave the Leafs a second-period lead was more evidence that things are turning for the better for Matthews. Through the last three games, questions about how effective Matthews can be, and whether he\u2019s, you know, really back, don\u2019t feel as valid. In wins over the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and now the Mammoth (all of whom are in or near the playoff picture), Matthews\u2019 game has not dipped as it did at times in October.<\/p>\n
With that \u2014 coupled with a respectable performance from the Leafs \u2014 it feels like things could be turning for his team.<\/p>\n
Perhaps it\u2019s no coincidence that Matthews\u2019 three-game goal streak comes amid the Leafs\u2019 first three-game winning streak of the season.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just the recent abundance of goals that makes Matthews look like his old self.<\/p>\n
When he\u2019s dominating his shifts with energy, his teammates seem to follow. Matthews is stripping pucks with authority and regularity. His movement in the offensive zone appears smoother, as if he might finally be moving free of any lingering pain. There\u2019s more force and power in his passing. He\u2019s killing penalties effectively and with more pronounced effort. Those efforts drew applause from the crowd during Monday\u2019s comeback win against the Penguins. Matthews also looks like a beast in the faceoff dot: He won a ridiculous 13 of 18 draws against the Mammoth. He\u2019s now up to a 59.8 faceoff win percentage on the season, the highest of his career.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t get to that kind of number with any lingering pain.<\/p>\n
And after a season in which he appeared to be learning the ropes of how to captain an NHL team, more glimpses are emerging of Matthews looking and acting like a more self-assured leader. He\u2019s quicker to crack a joke in front of the cameras as of late. That would suggest he\u2019s at ease mentally with his game and his position as captain. Matthews certainly seems better equipped than ever to understand that he has to take this team to the next level.<\/p>\n
The consistency that he\u2019s shown might be one of the missing pieces to the Leafs\u2019 early season.<\/p>\n
Add it up, and more of this Matthews feels like the quickest path to more wins like Wednesday\u2019s, undoubtedly one of the Leafs\u2019 best performances of the early season. Goals from five different scorers (Matthews, Nylander, Knies, John Tavares and Matias Maccelli) punctuated the kind of consistent offensive zone time the Leafs haven\u2019t enjoyed much this season. There was a jump in their game and precision with their puck movement where it mattered.<\/p>\n
Again, there\u2019s been just as much jump in Matthews\u2019 play over the past three games. And, again, maybe it\u2019s not a coincidence. Playing with Knies and Nylander has undoubtedly helped Matthews\u2019 recent ascent.<\/p>\n
But now, there\u2019s less doubt that Matthews will be able to stay where he finds himself: back among the world\u2019s best.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust his overall play,\u201d Knies said of what\u2019s impressed him about Matthews\u2019 play over the last three games. \u201cI think he\u2019s playing really good defensively, I think he\u2019s doing good on draws. I think he\u2019s making simple little plays that are really good. And then obviously he\u2019s getting the puck in the back of the net. That\u2019s what we need from him.\u201d<\/p>\n