3 Toronto Maple Leafs That Actually Played Well and Deserve Praise

SUNRISE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

1. Auston Matthews – 22 years old – C

2019-20 play-in series stats – 5 GP – 2 G – 4 A – 6 PTS 

At my number one, and with little doubt, there is  Auston Matthews. It shouldn’t be a surprise to people that Matthews is on this list, as he was by far the best Maple Leaf during the play-in series against Columbus.

From the first puck drop in game one to the final buzzer in game five, Auston Matthews proved to everyone that he is the best player on the Toronto Maple Leafs and already one of the best players in the league.

At the young age of 22 he has grown his defensive game a ton during this season and it showed a lot in this series as he played a great two-way game. On top of Matthews putting up two goals and four assists in five games he was also top of the team in takeaways, hits, and blocked shots.

It seemed like Auston Matthews was the only player that gave it his all every game, other than Tavares who also played a good series he was invisible in game one. Marner and Nylander played a decent series but it wasn’t too impressive either and they only showed up in short bursts throughout certain games.

If the puck went in more for Matthews I can say this series probably would’ve went Toronto’s way, however they shot just under 2% in five games as they couldn’t get bounces and Columbus’ goalies were unstoppable. (Stats from NHL.com)

Though we have highlighted the Leafs three best players, its not as if any of their players were truly bad.  Full credit to the Blue Jackets goalies for the win.