As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for a tough Round 2 Game 4 against the Florida Panthers, the team is coming together to support their superstar captain, Auston Matthews. This is helping to calm any worries about how he’s been playing in the 2025 NHL playoffs. Yeah, the captain’s really in hot water after his performance, and critics are coming at him from all sides, questioning whether he even deserves a spot on the Stanley Cup Playoffs roster. But hey, he’s got his teammate to support him!
As reported by Sportsnet, Chris Tanev, our tough defenseman, really nailed it when he said, “He’s our captain. He’s our leader, and he’s been an incredible player for us. I expect him to be the same tonight. He’s gonna show up and be great for us.” Auston Matthews has been dealing with some tough defensive matchups, and so far this postseason, he’s managed to put up just 2 goals, 8 assists, and 10 points in 9 playoff games. That’s definitely not what fans were hoping for from one of Toronto’s top scorers.
So, after he finished third in the Maple Leafs’ rankings for the 2024-25 regular season and scored 33 goals, there were definitely a lot of expectations. On the flip side, a mix of physical issues, hard hits from opponents, and some rough bounces have really held him back, leading to some frustration from those watching. In the dressing room, it’s clear that Matthews is really important and has a knack for bouncing back.
Tanev and other veterans pointed out that Matthews brings more to the table than just his scoring. They highlighted his two-way game, leadership, and his determination to push through tough times — qualities that might not show up on the scoresheet but are crucial when it comes to playoff hockey.
The Maple Leafs made it clear they trust Matthews by vocally supporting him, showing they believe he can step up when it counts. It seems like, in addition to keeping an eye on Matthews, the coach is also putting some attention on the defense.
Auston Matthews’ team is bringing in a backup goalie
“I thought he was really good. I don’t love the fourth goal. But other than that, I thought he was solid,” said Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube after Game 3 about goalie Joseph Woll. So, Woll has taken over for Anthony Stolarz after he got hurt in Game 1 from an elbow by Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett.
It looks like Woll has been having a tough time lately, with his save percentage sitting below .870 in the series. So, the team has finally brought in Matt Murray as their backup goalie. The Maple Leafs are clearly prepared to shake things up when necessary to keep their championship hopes alive and put a halt to the Panthers’ momentum.
Murray’s NHL journey has definitely been influenced by his amazing playoff success, which really sets him apart as one of the most clutch goaltenders in the league throughout his career. Even with all those injuries he’s dealt with, who knows? He could totally shine as the star of the Maple Leafs in the playoffs.
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