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Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews celebrates scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers (Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Matthews, Woll, Carlo & Game Changers

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Jan 8, 2026 2:05 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, riding both momentum and meaning. Tuesday’s 4–1 win over the Florida Panthers wasn’t just another solid result at home; it was also a night that connected the present to the past. Auston Matthews scored again, Joseph Woll was sharp, and Toronto earned its fifth win in seven games while playing a composed, low-drama contest against a strong but injured opponent.

Now comes a tougher test than the standings might suggest. The Flyers have also won five of their last seven and are playing with a purpose that goes beyond a single hot stretch. The Maple Leafs already handled Philadelphia once this season, a 5–2 road win on Nov. 1, but Thursday feels less like a rematch and more like a measuring stick for where both teams actually are.

Item One: Auston Matthews Is Doing More Than Scoring Goals

Matthews’ latest run is impressive on the surface. He’s put up six goals in three games since the calendar flipped to January. The context also gives his production weight. Saturday’s two-goal night against the New York Islanders pushed him past Mats Sundin as the Maple Leafs’ all-time leading goal scorer. Tuesday, he followed that moment with another goal and a solid game in a team-first win.

What stood out was Matthews’ tone afterward. His comments weren’t about records or numbers, but about lineage. He spoke about the players who wore the jersey before him and what it means to be part of that history. That matters, especially for a player who has often been judged solely on playoff results rather than the totality of his impact.

At 21 goals already, Matthews is on pace for a tenth straight 30-goal campaign to start his career. Against Philadelphia specifically, he’s been a constant problem. He’s put up 28 points in 22 career games, including a point in 12 straight against them. This isn’t just a hot streak. It’s a reminder of how consistently Matthews drives Toronto’s offence when he’s healthy.

Item Two: Joseph Woll Responds When the Maple Leafs Need It

Joseph Woll’s 31-save performance against the Panthers won’t dominate the highlight reels, but it mattered. The Panthers had stretches where they pushed and tested Toronto’s structure, and Woll stayed composed throughout. The Maple Leafs have now won five of their last seven games, and steady goaltending has been a quiet thread in those results, especially as games get tighter and more crucial for the team’s postseason run.

Joseph Woll, Toronto Maple Leafs (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

His solid production carried extra weight after a brief wobble. Woll entered Tuesday’s contest coming off two rough games in which he allowed eight goals on just 42 shots, a stretch that dipped his numbers and raised a few familiar questions. Instead of lingering, he reset. Against the Panthers, he tracked the puck well, managed rebounds, and didn’t let the game snowball when chances popped up around the net.

With Toronto set to face the Flyers tonight and the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, Woll will continue to carry the load. His work this season has been strong: a 9-4-2 record, one shutout, a 2.69 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage in 16 starts. It’s not about being perfect every night — it’s about responding, and Woll did exactly that when the Maple Leafs needed him to.

Item Three: Brandon Carlo’s Return Brings Needed Stability

Getting Brandon Carlo back into the lineup added a layer of calm that the Maple Leafs have missed. After nearly two months away due to injury, Carlo didn’t try to make an immediate statement. He defended, kept his gaps tight, and played a simple, structured game. He brought exactly what Toronto needed against Florida. Head coach Craig Berube’s postgame assessment said it all: having Carlo back doing his job mattered.

Morgan Rielly and Brandon Carlo of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

Carlo logged 17:41 of ice time, finished plus-2, and looked comfortable in his return after missing 23 games following ankle surgery. His value isn’t found on the scoresheet — he has just two assists in 19 games this season — but in how he stabilizes shifts, protects the middle of the ice, and allows others to play more aggressively. As Toronto heads into a stretch against teams that push pace and forecheck hard, Carlo’s presence will give them a steadier defensive foundation, even if it rarely shows up in the box score.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

Tonight’s trip to Philadelphia will be a test of consistency as much as skill. The Flyers are playing confident hockey at home, and Toronto will need Woll to remain calm, track the puck cleanly, and make the routine stops that keep the team in control. Carlo’s presence will be equally important, helping the team manage traffic in front of the net and allowing Matthews and the forwards to play more aggressively without overcommitting.

This is also a chance for the Maple Leafs to continue building momentum. Five wins in seven games show progress, but the team is aware that consistency over 60 minutes is what separates a good stretch from a full playoff push. If everything clicks, tonight could be another step forward in a season that’s increasingly about establishing the team’s identity, not just individual milestones.