Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews couldn’t help but smile on Thursday morning when asked about taunts from Ottawa Senators fans in Games 3 and 4.

“Honestly, when you're out there, you don't really hear it. So, it is what it is,” Matthews said, grinning ahead of Game 6.

Senators fans let the 27-year-old hear it at Canadian Tire Centre, the first home playoff games in Ottawa since 2017.

The reason for the grin? 

A rather unique chant from the Ottawa crowd at Canadian Tire Centre: “Matthews Balding!”

While creative, the chants didn’t seem to faze the Leafs’ star forward as Toronto prepares for another potential elimination game in Ottawa – the same building where they failed to close out the series in Game 4, losing in overtime. Now, after dropping two straight, including a 4-0 shutout loss at home in Game 5, the Leafs face added pressure with the series lead at 3-2.

Matthews, who has six points (1G, 5A) through five games, emphasized a sense of urgency pre-game, the third opportunity to close out the series. 

“I definitely think we want to have a very high sense of urgency tonight,” Matthews explained. “You just want to go out there, compete, have fun, do it for the guy that is sitting next to you in the room, and just go out there and enjoy the moment.” 

‘No One Expected It To Be Easy’: Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs Focused On Regrouping After Back-To-Back Missed Opportunities To Close Out Senators With the Battle of Ontario tightening up, Morgan Rielly and the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing their best to remain composed following consecutive missed opportunities to eliminate the Ottawa Senators in their first-round playoff series.

Blocking out distractions is easier said than done, especially in the Toronto market, where playoff failures have become magnified in the ‘Core Four’ era. The Leafs have now lost 13 of their last 14 elimination games dating back to 2018. Despite leading this first-round series 3-0 at one point, familiar doubts have begun to creep in.

Matthews, the face of the franchise, has only one playoff series win to his name, along with the other three members of the core – the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 6 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I think you just try to block all of that stuff out. The main focus is on the guys in the room, on the team, and just playing for one another,” Matthews said. “That’s really all there is to it. All the outside noise, all that stuff, it just is what it is. It’s not something you really focus on really at all.”

'All I Hear Around Here Is Core, Core Core': Maple Leafs' Craig Berube Wants Whole-Team Contribution Ahead of Game 6 Against Senators The Toronto Maple Leafs core players may be feeling a bit of pressure after the Ottawa Senators kept the entire club off the scoresheet in a 4-0 win in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series. 

Toronto began the series by stringing together three straight wins, two of which came in overtime, but has since struggled to close. Now, with the Senators feeding off their home crowd experiencing its first playoff games since 2017, and winning the last two games, the Leafs are trying to regroup with a short memory.

It’s no secret that tension is rising on the Toronto side.

“Just try to stay as even keel as you possibly can,” said Matthews. “I mean, naturally, there are highs and lows in life and the playoffs and all that stuff. But I think just resetting each day, staying focused, and being committed. It’s never going to be easy. It’s not going to be a perfect day every single day. So, just trying to fight through that and go out there and give your best effort.”

Why Max Pacioretty Is Moving Up And Why No Other Maple Leafs Lineup Changes Are Happening For Game 6 When the Toronto Maple Leafs stepped onto the ice at the Canadian Tire Centre for their morning skate on Thursday, Max Pacioretty was in top-six blue, re-affirming that lineup changes were coming after their Game 5 loss. 

The answers from the players have remained consistent, with a focus on composure and focus. Now, they have their third kick at the can ahead of them, a chance to advance to a second-round matchup with the Florida Panthers.

It’s time for them to execute.

So, what’s the feeling in the room the morning of Game 6?

“Business-like. Let's go. Ready to go. Business,” said head coach Craig Berube. “Let's go.”

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.