TORONTO — After nearly a month of sidelined action due to an upper-body injury, Auston Matthews is slowly but surely working his way back into the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup. The injury had kept the 27-year-old sniper out of the game, requiring a trip to Europe for specialized medical treatment. Now, Matthews is two games into his return, with a few bumps along the way, but still showing signs of his former brilliance.
The Maple Leafs faced the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night, and while Matthews has been in the lineup for only a short time, he gave fans a glimpse of the elite player they know he can be. Matthews scored his sixth goal of the season during the Leafs’ 4-1 win over the Blackhawks. It was his first goal since returning to the ice after the extended layoff. Matthews had three shots on goal and three hits during his 19 minutes and 43 seconds of ice time. The game also saw him contribute two assists in a 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals just two days before.
“Just trying to get better, feel better each game,” Matthews said after the game. “I’m just continuing to get my legs back, my lungs back, and just getting back in game shape.”
Last season, Matthews dominated the league with 69 goals, leading the NHL in scoring. His performance marked the highest goal count in the league in over 30 years. But the 2024-25 season has been a bit of a different story for Matthews, as he has struggled to find his rhythm since the season began. After his last game on Nov. 3, he was listed as day-to-day. Then, on Nov. 19, general manager Brad Treliving revealed that Matthews was in Germany seeking treatment for the injury that had been bothering him during a lighter part of the schedule.
Despite the setbacks, Matthews’ return to the ice brings hope to the Leafs, with head coach Craig Berube confident that the superstar will regain his form.
“It’s going to take a little time,” said Berube, who is managing a busy schedule with several games this week. “Practice time is going to be difficult, but he’s working at it. He’ll get there. I’ve got no worries.”
John Tavares, the Leafs’ captain and a longtime teammate of Matthews, praised his fellow forward’s natural talent and leadership. “He’s going to be an elite, elite player — one of the best in the world,” Tavares said. “Such a special talent. Great hands there on the goal. A big one to get us going. He’ll only get better.”
Matthews’ impact on the ice has already been apparent, even though he’s not yet fully back to his best. According to Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz, Matthews’ presence is felt everywhere on the ice, from defense to offense.
“He’s so smart, he’s so strong on his stick,” Stolarz said. “You can always rely on him to be in the right position in the defensive zone, and he’s always a threat in the offensive zone.”
Rookie Fraser Minten, who made a successful return to the Leafs lineup after recovering from an ankle sprain, said that Matthews’ path to recovery is clear and that the veteran forward’s success is not surprising.
“He’s unbelievably talented, but it comes from consistent work,” Minten said. “He’s a great guy to look up to, a great guy to lead this team. His success speaks for itself.”
Minten, who has contributed two goals and two assists in five games this season, is already impressing his teammates. Matthews took a moment to praise the rookie’s intelligence on the ice, saying, “Such a cerebral player. Maybe not the fastest guy, not the biggest and strongest guy, but I think the way he’s able to adapt his game for what the situation presents just really stands out.”
The Leafs have had a solid performance so far this season in part thanks to their goaltenders. Stolarz made 27 saves in the win against the Blackhawks, improving his record to 8-4-2. He has maintained a .924 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against average. Meanwhile, his goaltending partner Joseph Woll is also having an impressive season with a 6-2-0 record and a .923 save percentage.
“They’ve got a great relationship,” Berube said of his goalies. “They really are tight, and that goes a long way for everybody in the room. That camaraderie is important.”
Despite the victories, the Leafs’ lineup has experienced a bit of confusion. With several injuries on the roster, the team had intended to place Fraser Minten at center for a line with Steven Lorentz and Nick Robertson. However, a miscommunication led to Matthews being announced as part of the opening faceoff lineup.
In a situation that caused a bit of confusion, Berube sought clarification from one of the referees. The Leafs coach, who expressed frustration with the technological issues, humorously remarked, “These computers screw everything up. I used to write (the lineup) out on paper. I’d rather do that.”
While the incident was an amusing moment, the team’s focus remains on Matthews’ recovery and return to form. With his natural talent and work ethic, Matthews is sure to be a dominant force once he regains full fitness.
Despite the setbacks earlier this season, the Leafs have reasons to be optimistic about their star player’s recovery. As Matthews continues to get back to his peak performance, fans are eager to see the player who led the league in scoring just one season ago.