Had the\u00a0Maple Leafs\u00a0not won\u00a0Saturday\u00a0after Auston Matthews was granted a rare overtime penalty shot, it would have been crushing for the captain\u00a0and\u00a0more fuel for his critics.<\/p>\n
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Published Jan 31, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n A 3-2 shootout win<\/a> changes little in the standings for the Maple\u00a0Leafs, but drastically improves\u00a0the mood in their\u00a0dressing room.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n When Auston Matthews<\/a>\u00a0backhanded the winner Saturday in Vancouver, it lifted a\u00a0Grouse Mountain\u00a0of pressure the team carried west with its five-game\u00a0home\u00a0losing streak that\u00a0stretched\u00a0to six in Seattle.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n They avoided a regulation defeat to the NHL\u2019s worst team with a strong third period and got some offence from\u00a0too-silent\u00a0stars.<\/p>\n More takeaways from Toronto\u2019s first win since it\u00a0beat Winnipeg two weeks ago:<\/p>\n MARKET HEATS UP<\/p>\n One win won\u2019t make general manager Brad Treliving stop painting \u2018for sale\u2019 signs as he considers the dire standings and the March 6 trade deadline. The two points, coupled with Florida\u2019s loss to Winnipeg, only moved the Leafs to eight back of an Eastern Conference wild-card spot, in a 59-point, three-way knot with Ottawa, while Washington and Columbus are also two ahead.<\/p>\n The belief is Treliving began exploring options for veterans to recoup assets the Leafs could get younger with next season, or try to maximize the affordable contract of a surprise such as winger Bobby McMann.<\/p>\n But as for moving a core piece, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported the\u00a0Leafs\u00a0have been in touch with Matthews\u2019 representatives to make sure\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0still on board for the\u00a0duration of his current contract\u00a0($13.25 million\u00a0US\u00a0through 2027-28) and\u00a0have\u00a0received such assurances.<\/p>\n Had the\u00a0Leafs\u00a0not won\u00a0Saturday\u00a0after Matthews was granted the rare overtime penalty shot, it would have been crushing for the captain\u00a0and\u00a0more fuel for his critics.<\/p>\n With only two games until the Olympic break and roster freeze, a back-to-back Monday and Tuesday in Calgary and Edmonton, Treliving would then have a short window of six games after the tournament in Milan to declare its market intentions.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n WELCOME BACK, WILLY AND WOLLY<\/p>\n In the most recent seven games William Nylander missed because of a groin injury, Toronto lost six and no one passed him as the team\u2019s leading scorer, not even Matthews, underlining his importance.<\/p>\n Nylander had a chance to win the game in overtime, as did Matthews, but also used his speed to prevent a Vancouver goal and did start the shootout with a goal. There were no power plays for either team in the game, so Nylander didn\u2019t have extra room, but sill played close to 21 minutes in his return, lifting centre John Tavares\u2019 fortunes as well.<\/p>\n Coach Craig Berube credited goalie Joseph Woll\u2019s late third-period save on an odd-man rush for getting the Leafs at least a point. Woll then made two shootout saves, having not won since he had shut out Vancouver at home and beaten the league-best Avalanche.<\/p>\n ONE D IN, ONE D OUT<\/p>\n Morgan Rielly\u2019s near-perfect attendance this year could take a hit.<\/p>\n The defenceman, who has missed just one game this season, didn\u2019t come out for the third period because of an upper body injury. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe picked up much of the slack, each playing in excess of 27 minutes.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n We would be inclined to think Berube looks past some first-game hiccups by Marshall Rifai<\/a>, who was in his first Leafs action this season and just his third NHL start. Rifai had some communication and puck-handling issues in his 9:40 of ice time, one leading to Vancouver\u2019s first goal.<\/p>\n But Berube admires Rifai taking a four-month recovery from wrist surgery last autumn when he was on the cusp of making the team. The Leafs were cursed by blueline injuries that Rifai could have filled, after he waited patiently for such an opportunity all last season.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u00a0could\u00a0use that time\u00a0(recuperating)\u00a0to recalibrate and find areas where you\u00a0can grow,\u201d Rifai told media in Vancouver on Friday\u00a0at\u00a0practice. \u201cI think\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0probably why\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0being\u00a0rewarded here with a call-up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you don\u2019t get to do what you love every day, you have to take a step back. It leaves room for gratitude. When I came back (to the Marlies after surgery), I was fresh, which I think is a big thing in the long process.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve played a lot of pro hockey here and I try to use that to my advantage instead of thinking it was a disadvantage. I get to come in fresh, in the middle of the season. Being away from the game a little bit makes you appreciate what we get to do here every day. I try to look at things through that lens.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone has a role on the\u00a0team\u00a0and you\u00a0have to\u00a0lean into your role, whatever it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Lhornby@postmedia.com<\/p>\n X:\u00a0@sunhornby<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Berube gives rookie Cowan a reset as Maple Leafs struggle<\/p>\n![\"Auston](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0201leafswinsmaller-scaled-e1769921866725.jpg\")
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews and his team’s fans celebrate a game-winning shootout goal against the Vancouver Canucks on January 31, 2026. Photo by Darryl Dyck \/The Canadian PressArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.4.0\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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