Auston Matthews says Maple Leafs held each other accountable before pulling off dramatic comeback

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews credited a passionate call to action from the team during the second intermission as the key to their comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.

After playing lifeless hockey through the first two periods and being outshot 25-8, the Leafs found themselves down 3-0 and with seemingly no indication that things were going to turn around on the night. The third period was a dramatic pendulum swing of momentum as three goals in a little over three minutes brought the game level before Bobby McMann scored the winner late in the frame.

The comeback was started by a breakaway goal from Matthews, who said to reporters after the game that the overall message in the locker room was to get back to work and get one back.

“ It was from everybody, the coach, players. Everything from effort to the energy and execution just wasn’t good enough in the first two periods,” Matthews said. “It showed in the scoreboard, showed in the shots, showed in the chances, I’m sure in everything. They’re a good team over there, but I think you get one and see what happens. We’re able to roll over a couple of shifts and get some good opportunities. Next thing you know, momentum changes, atmosphere and the stands change.”

It was evident from the start of the final frame that Matthews played like a man possessed, trying to help will his team back from the dead. He was authoritative in the offensive zone by generating plenty of scoring chances, and he was hard on the puck carriers in the defensive end as noted by his play along the wall to get the puck out during a penalty kill that drew some applause.

Matthews wasn’t alone in taking charge that final frame. Anthony Stolarz came up large on numerous occasions to give his team a fighting chance, Nick Robertson’s hard work helped generate sustained zone time, and the returning William Nylander came up big with two goals.

“He didn’t look like he’s had really any time off. Moving his feet, making plays, and obviously scored some big goals for us,” Matthews said of Nylander. “I thought he was good tonight. Obviously, a little bit of shuffling of the lines and stuff, but I thought in that third period we just tried to go work, make plays, and really capitalize on our goals.”

While Matthews and the Leafs are no doubt happy to have come out of that game with the two points, he acknowledges that there is still plenty of work to be done to get the team reaching its full potential. Head Coach Craig Berube was critical of his team’s lack of a complete effort and minimal pushback in the second period.

The captain echoed the bench bosses’ sentiment, adding that the Leafs can’t rely on making dramatic comebacks to pull themselves out of holes all the time.

“It was great to come back and get the two points and have a great 3rd period,” he said. “I think the focus should be more on the first two periods and why we lacked all those different things that got us down in the game in the first place. It’s something we’ll figure out.”