Auston Matthews offers self-assessment of recent form: ‘It’s fine, it’s been a grind lately’

“I mean, it’s fine. It’s been a grind lately,” Matthews said. “You know, for us, it’s trying to string together points and wins. And I think we’ve done a pretty decent job of that over the last seven, eight, nine, 10 games. You just want to continue to put yourself in a position to win games, and the team win games.”

Matthews returned to the Maple Leafs’ lineup on November 26, following a two-week injury-related absence. Upon returning to action, Matthews has recorded four goals and seven points in nine games, a far cry from the standard expected based off his usual output.

“I mean, we can all be better,” Matthews said. “Obviously, the last two games, it’s frustrating. You go into the game against San Jose, got the lead, and the third period wasn’t very good. And then obviously on Saturday, I think we’re in a position where the game’s right there. It’s 3-2. Bad break on the third goal, but I think the third period, we came out and we were really flat, and didn’t have enough energy. I think rightfully so it’s going to fall on the leaders and that’s fine.”

While that may be true, Matthews appears to be avoiding accountability for the team’s recent losses and his own play. Toronto controls 45 percent of the shot attempts and 48 percent of the expected goals when he’s on the ice at 5-on-5 this season, although his plus-10 goal differential may be the highlight of what’s been a disappointing first quarter. There was enough to suggest that Matthews was due for a goal-scoring explosion in the early weeks of the season, but that hasn’t been the case since his late-November return.

Berube centred his criticism around Matthews’ linemates, a group that consisted of Matthew Knies and Max Domi. William Nylander took reps with Knies and Matthews on Monday, with Domi placed on the third line alongside Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy.

“I’m not seeing enough from that line in general, offensively or defensively. Going to move Willy up there,” Berube said Monday. “They got to work together and do things right, but could be a real good line.”

Matthews and the Maple Leafs will look to snap their losing skid against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, who will be without their star forward Connor Bedard due to injury. All eyes may be on Matthews, after losing individual matchups to McDavid and Macklin Celebrini in consecutive games.