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Toronto Maple Leafs: Analyzing Auston Matthews Return from Injury

By Wilbert Timmermans

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 28: Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) skates during the warm up before a game between the San Jose Sharks and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario Canada. (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 28: Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) skates during the warm up before a game between the San Jose Sharks and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario Canada. (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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He’s back, the Toronto Maple Leafs star centre Auston Matthews, is back.

The star centre of the Toronto Maple Leafs returned against San Jose. He did so in an even like fashion as his return was brought into the world, greatly, and with a lot of buzz. Matthews did not waste any time and picked up right where he left off, racking up 2 goals and 1 assist for a total of 3 points on the night.

All the enthusiasm was paired with a bit of anxiety, is his return to early? I’m not exactly sure whether I forget those troubles after that fantastic setup for the John Tavares goal or when he showcased his unbelievable wrister on his first of the night.

Nonetheless, if that didn’t take away the concerns, the stats Matthews put up in his return certainly did!

Patience is the key

Obviously, it would be the right choice bringing Matthews back slowly and that’s exactly what Mike Babcock did. Granting Matthews 12 minutes and 58 seconds at even strength, 6th lowest among forwards. Given it would be tempting for any coach to play your best guy on the ice as much as possible, I am glad he didn’t.

Patience is the key with Matthews, slowly build up his minutes and matchups. There’s no need for rush, the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing fine and are blessed with the league’s best centre depth.

Dominance

His stint may have been short, nonetheless, Matthews showed absolute dominance in almost every second. Reunited with linemate Kasperi Kapanen and joined by Swedish phenomenon Andreas Johnsson, they were the Toronto Maple Leafs most dominant line.

How dominant you ask? Let me summarize it real quick;

  • Shots For 66.67%
  • High Danger Chances For 100%
  • Puck Possession 57.69%

For someone returning from an awkward injury after 14 games that are some good statistics. Playing with young talents as Kapanen and Johnsson certainly helped, but then again, Matthews is the kind of player that makes others better.

Probably the most bizarre given fact from Matthews return is one that isn’t measurable, the way he made it look so natural being in the line-up again.

Potential Line

Talking about natural on the ice, safely assuming William Nylander signs a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow. It seems that Mike Babcock will not hesitate to insert Nylander back into the line-up, alongside Matthews probably.

Next. 4 Acceptable Nylander Trades. dark

But where does that leave Kapanen? Spoiler alert, just move him to the left side. He belongs with Matthews and with Nylander.

If that line is even possible is something we all know tomorrow. If so, I’ll be sure to write about it!

Thanks for reading, signing off from my writers’ den Vader Kleinjan, cheers!

All stats from naturalstattrick

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