Quick Shifts: Is the real Auston Matthews back?
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is showing a return to form after a difficult 2025-26 season. Improved health, new teammates, and a more offensive-focused coaching strategy have contributed to his recent high-scoring performance.
Why it matters
Matthews is a marquee player in the NHL, and his performance is a primary driver of interest for the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise.
A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. Trust me, Dylan Larkin ain’t the only one who gets booed at home.
1. There is a brief off-ice moment caught by the Toronto Maple Leafs ' Blueprint cameras after the club’s thrilling OT comeback win over the Nashville Predators Tuesday that speaks volumes on the state of Auston Matthews .
Before the game-winning goal-scorer glides out for his second-star twirl at Scotiabank Arena, he giddily tells first star Gavin McKenna in the tunnel: “I’m gonna stay for your applause. That’s how (expletive) pumped I am.”
Pumped was seldom an adjective that applied to Toronto’s captain in 2025-26, outside of Team USA’s golden adventure in Italy, of course.
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