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Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Reasons to Be Excited for the Playoffs

By Jeremy Ridgewell

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 20: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 20, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 20: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 20, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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May 10, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates scoring the winning goal during the third period of game five of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Maple Leafs Playoff Excitement

Being in the playoffs is exciting, but there are many factors that go into winning a playoff round. Toronto has yet to find the right formula for winning in the playoffs, but this year could be different. The team’s overall makeup is different from years past, so hopefully, that will be a good thing.

Auston Matthews Being Healthy

Auston Matthews revealed to Jonas Siegel of The Athletic that he’s been playing through a wrist injury most of the season. For anyone who has watched the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, it was obvious that something was bothering Matthews.

His overall game has been great, with 34 goals and 39 assists for 73 points in 64 games. He has also played great without the puck and is very reliable defensively. Matthews also leads all forwards in blocked shots with 84. (Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Over the last few games, Matthews has started to look more like the Matthews from years past, and his scoring touch has returned. His wrist might not be 100%, but it has healed enough for him to be more dangerous with the puck. He will be looking to finish the season on a high note.

With 11 games remaining, Matthews could still finish the season with 40 goals and 90 points. Not bad for a player who’s played through a wrist injury for a large chunk of the season. A healthy Matthews will be crucial to Toronto’s playoff success.

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