Craig Berube Reveals What Auston Matthews Did to Pull His Leafs Teammates Out of Their Slump

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is getting praise from coach Craig Berube after inspiring his teammates to shake off the cobwebs and get back to work.

Max Domi had already pointed directly at his captain as the big reason for the Toronto Maple Leafs' 6-2 over Calgary earlier this week, and now Craig Berube has told reporters how it was Auston Matthews who actually got his teammates out of their recent slump.

The Leafs had lost five of their last six games going into the game against the Flames, and had slipped from first to third in the Atlantic Division in the process.

Matthews had a statement game against the Flames, netting 2 goals and 1 assist in the victory. But, according to Berube, Matthews also made a statement off the ice -- one that really fired up his teammates.

Matthews grabbed the bull by the horns, and told his teammates to get it together.

'He grabbed a hold of the room, it's not good enough what's going on here. He talked, and then he walked.

Strong leadership. He was talking guys through it and reiterating that we're a great team and we have what it takes to roll these teams if we want to.'

Sportsnet's Luke Fox believes the Leafs will only go as far as Matthews can take them in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Berube has full confidence that his captain is ready to carry the weight, despite dealing with lingering injuries this season.

'Listen, he's a confident guy anyhow. He's not sitting here worrying, 'Well, I don't have as many goals as I had last year.' It's about playing 200 feet and doing the job and being a good leader.'