Auston Matthews clears the air surrounding Maple Leafs’ starting lineup confusion. (Image Source: Imagn)
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews addressed the confusion surrounding the team’s lineup before the game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.
The Leafs had reportedly intended to start the game with the 20-year-old Fraser Minten at center, but Matthews’ name was announced in the arena before the game, leading to uncertainty among players, coaches and fans.
To clarify the situation, Auston Matthews explained:
“They announced my name, but I wasn’t told I was starting. I think it happened like a week ago where a team got a penalty for something like that, so just to be safe … I went out there & started.”
Leafs HC Craig Berube humorously commented on the confusion, saying:
“These computers screw everything up,” coach says to laughs. “We used to write’em out on paper. I’d rather do that.”
Auston Matthews made a notable return to the lineup after being sidelined for nearly a month due to an upper-body injury.
AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨
THE CAPTAIN STRIKES! pic.twitter.com/hiCvADOLQu
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 3, 2024
The 27-year-old scored his sixth goal and first since returning, finishing the night with two points in the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 victory over the Blackhawks.
“Just try to get better, feel better each game,” he said. “Just continue to get my legs back, the lungs back, and just get back in game shape,” he said after the game via Sportsnet.
Matthews has racked up 14 points through six goals and eight assists in 15 games this season.
Auston Matthews returns as Leafs edge past Blackhawks
On Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs (15-7-2) faced off against the Chicago Blackhawks (8-15-2) at Scotiabank Arena, securing a convincing 4-1 win.
Auston Matthews opened the scoring for the home team, giving them a 1-0 lead at 15:36 of the first period. In the following period, John Tavares extended the Leafs’ advantage to 2-0. Lukas Reichel responded for the Hawks with a backhand goal at 3:26, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
LEAFS WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWIN!@LGCanada | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/ZJBnHkKhBJ
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 3, 2024
However, goals from Fraser Minten and an empty-netter by Matthew Knies sealed the win for the Leafs.
“We just got hemmed in our own zone and then we took penalties, but our penalty 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 was excellent tonight and that was the difference in the game. And then our goalie, that’s what it boils down to,” Berube said, via NHL.com.
With the win, the Leafs extended their winning streak to two games. They host the Nashville Predators (7-12-6) at Scotiabank Arena next on Wednesday. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET.
