After missing nine games with an upper-body injury, Auston Matthews has come back and is putting the puck in the net? Is he fully back or will it be a long road ahead? NEWARK, N.J. — The Toronto Maple Leafs are starting to get healthy again, and that could spell trouble for struggling forward Nick Robertson. With just two goals and no assists in 23 games this season, the 23-year-old has been given plenty of opportunities to establish himself with the team. However, when it came to rotating the lineup on the second night of back-to-back games, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube opted to scratch the 5-foot-9 forward in favor of Alex Nylander. Berube made it clear that the decision to sit Robertson wasn't solely about fresh legs. The player simply hasn't delivered. While the team and Robertson have highlighted positives in his game leading up to his benching in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, there was a clear message behind the move. "He's just got to play better. You know, that's it. I mean, we all know that," Berube said. "I talked to Nick today (Saturday) about it. We'll figure it out." [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC8qpKoQZr0[/embed] Max Domi, recovering from a lower-body injury, has been practicing and could return to the lineup when the Leafs face the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Tuesday—if he participates in Monday's practice. If Domi re-enters the lineup, it might be difficult to justify putting Robertson back in. Fraser Minten has impressed as the third-line center since his call-up, making it easier for Domi to slot in as a winger. There could be room for Robertson on the fourth line, but Berube has expressed satisfaction with the performances of Steven Lorentz, Connor Dewar, and Ryan Reaves. Robertson reportedly requested a trade from the Maple Leafs earlier but was convinced to stay with the promise of playing time this season. He’s had that chance, but if the Leafs decide to move on from him now, it would likely mean selling low. The Leafs have the roster flexibility to keep him around, which could benefit both parties. "It's my job to help him, and it's his job to find a way to play better hockey. He's capable of that," Berube said. "He's got ability, speed. He's got a good shot. And we've got to find a way to get him going." ROBERTSON’S STRUGGLES HIGHLIGHT SECONDARY SCORING ISSUES In their last four games, the Leafs have only managed one goal from players outside their top power play unit of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies. That lone goal came from Minten, who has two goals and two assists in eight games since being called up from the Toronto Marlies. Those five forwards have accounted for 57 of the team’s 80 goals this season—71% of their total scoring. To compare, last season, the Leafs’ top five forwards contributed 61% of the team’s goals, even with Matthews’ NHL-leading 69 tallies. If this trend continues, it would represent the highest concentration of goals from five players in the Matthews era. Beyond the power play unit, the team’s top scorer is Bobby McMann, who has six goals in 21 games but has been sidelined since Nov. 27 with a lower-body injury. Robertson isn’t the only one struggling to contribute. Domi has yet to score a goal in 19 games this season. "We need some guys to contribute down in the bottom six, for sure," Berube said. "Got to find a way to manufacture some goals from those guys."
