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'It's Been Pretty Good Since I've Been Back': Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Feeling Like Himself Since Return From Injury

david alter
·2 min read

MONTREAL — When Auston Matthews is lightning the lamp, there is no worry for the Toronto Maple Leafs when it comes to generating offense.

Matthews had his second multi-goal game of the season when the Maple Leafs defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in overtime to snap a season-high three-game losing streak.

Related: 'We Need That From Our Leader': Auston Matthews Delivers In Clutch Moment for the Maple Leafs Against Devils

Down 3-2 in the third period, Matthews scored a clutch goal, firing his patented wrist shot past Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

The type of goal suggested we're probably seeing the best Matthews has felt since twice dealing with an upper-body injury this season and he confirmed that ahead of the Toronto's game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on Saturday.

"It's been steady. I've been feeling good," Matthews said. "I think it's been pretty good since I've been back. I've been feeling better and better every night. So, you know, I just want to keep that going.

Matthews has missed 15 games this season due to an upper-body injury that first flared up in training camp. After missing nine consecutive games and flying to Germany to seek treatment, Matthews returned before missing another six games following a rough game against the Buffalo Sabres in which he was cross-checked in the back by defenseman Dennis Gilbert.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has also seen improvement in Matthews' game.

"Obviously he has games where maybe he's not at his best. But I'm noticing an improvement from game to game with his quickness and speed. And that's really important for me," Berube said.

Matthews has 17 goals and 17 assists in 31 games with the Leafs this season. He has led the NHL in goals scored three times in his career, including a career-high 69 last season.

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