Auston Matthews praises Maple Leafs’ compete level while searching to find their game

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews remained even-keeled following Friday’s 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Matthews and the Maple Leafs slipped to 3-4-1 on the season and will need to regroup quickly for Saturday’s second leg of the home-and-home series.

“I mean, it’s never ideal when you lose guys to injury, especially key guys,” Matthews said Friday. “And so, we got guys coming in that haven’t really played or are coming up with very short notice.

“Guys got to pick each other up, encourage each other and do what you can and fill those roles. But I definitely think we’re still trying to find our game.”

William Nylander’s status is to be determined for Saturday’s game after leaving Friday’s contest in the third period. Nylander was checked by Jason Zucker and headed to the locker room. Morgan Rielly’s status is also to be determined with an undisclosed injury. Chris Tanev was already placed on injured reserve, and the Maple Leafs’ depth and composure are certainly being tested.

“The disappointing thing is, I thought we competed really hard and did a lot of good things, but there’s just too many mistakes going the other way, and too many odd-man rushes against,” Matthews said post-game. “And they feed off transition. You get caught, and they make you pay.

“That’s the most frustrating part, just because I thought we really played a hard game tonight. I thought we did a lot of really good things. I thought we were rolling four lines, just competing at a higher level, a level that we need to compete to win games consistently.”

Matthews isn’t necessarily wrong: Toronto outshot Buffalo 34-30 and Matthews notched a power play goal, but these are essentially footnotes, as the team has rarely played up to the sum of its talented parts this season.

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