Since making his NHL debut in 2016, the Leafs have a 36-19-2 record when Auston Matthews has been unable to play.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, playing without their top player, defeated the Boston Bruins 4-0 on Tuesday.
Without Auston Matthews, who missed the game due to an upper-body injury, the Leafs improved their record to 36-19-2 in games without him since drafting him first overall in the 2016 NHL Draft.
So, what contributed to the Leafs’ success without No. 34?
“I mean, over the course of the year you’re going to miss guys. So I think it’s more about the team effort,” Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly explained. “We’re obviously happy with our team.”
To adjust for Matthews' absence, the Leafs moved Max Domi up to his spot in the lineup. During his 6:31 of 5-on-5 ice time with Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies, the trio achieved a 79 percent expected-goals share, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
“That line went against the (David) Pastrnak line and (Brad) Marchand, and they did a good job,” coach Berube said. “I thought that they checked them well, kept them on the outside for the most part, and did a good job. So it was a real good team effort by everybody.”
Toronto’s power play strangely benefited from Matthews’ absence, with the Bruins providing ample opportunities. The Leafs scored on three of seven chances (42.9 percent). In games without Matthews since 2016, the Leafs have maintained a 29 percent power-play success rate.
Rielly, Knies, and William Nylander each contributed with power-play goals. Two of them came off deflections in front of the net.
“Maybe everybody just has a little bit more compete to their game,” Nylander remarked on playing without Matthews. “Bring some energy and stuff for the guys going forward. So, you know, it’s hard to cover up for him. But everybody does a good job.”
The Leafs are clearly a better team with Matthews than without, but given what a fully healthy No. 34 brings to the lineup, there shouldn't be any rust to bring him back until he's 100 percent.
If he misses more games, the Leafs have a template that shows they can step up and perform.