TORONTO — Auston Matthews was sidelined on Tuesday, but the Toronto Maple Leafs’ struggling power play finally found its rhythm. The penalty kill also performed well.
Matthews missed the team’s 4-0 win over the Boston Bruins due to an upper-body injury, yet the special teams finally worked together effectively.
“Maybe everyone just brought a little more effort to their game,” said Leafs winger William Nylander, who scored during a power play in the second period and assisted on another goal in the third. “It’s tough to fill in for (Matthews), but everyone did their part.
Entering the game, Toronto’s power play was struggling, having converted only 4 out of 40 opportunities this season, placing them 31st overall despite their offensive talent. However, they scored three times on seven chances and successfully killed all six of Boston’s power plays.
“I don’t think we should get too carried away thinking we’ve solved everything,” noted Toronto defenceman Morgan Rielly, who contributed a goal and two assists on the power play. “It was only a matter of time; we just needed to stick to the process.”
That process involved playing without Matthews against a team that had previously dominated them, winning their last eight regular-season encounters and defeating Toronto in seven games during last spring’s playoffs.
Leafs head coach Craig Berube mentioned after the morning skate that Matthews, who is day-to-day, has been “fighting through” his injury, which is not related to previous wrist issues.
This season, Matthews has five goals and 11 points in 13 games. He recorded an assist and played over 22 minutes in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.“
Everyone just needs to do their job out there,” Berube said about the team’s mindset without their star player. “We can’t focus on, ‘Oh, Auston’s not playing, what are we going to do?’ We have a good team and talented players. Others will get different opportunities in various situations, and they’re capable of stepping up.”
Max Domi centered the top line alongside Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies with the three-time Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy winner watching from the sidelines. Marner and Knies each contributed a goal and an assist on the power play as Toronto improved to an impressive 36-19-2 in regular-season games when Matthews is absent.“
These guys have had our number for a while,” Knies said post-game regarding the Bruins. “We were all a bit frustrated and wanted to play physical. Losing your best player is tough, but everyone rose to the occasion. It showed the depth we have in this team.
“Great team effort.”
