NHL: Preseason-Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner rally behind top prospect Easton Cowan ahead of WJC

Modified Dec 21, 2024 13:01 GMT

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan is getting encouragement from captain Auston Matthews and others as he prepares for the World Junior Championship. Messages from Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Fraser Minten aimed to boost his confidence before the tournament.

Marner and Minten wished Cowan good luck, saying, "Good luck" and “Do your thing out there.” Auston Matthews added:

“Good luck, score some goals. Play your game, and good things will come.”

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Cowan made a strong return in Team Canada’s pre-tournament game against Switzerland on Thursday night. After missing selection camp due to an injury earlier this month, he delivered a standout performance, scoring a hattrick. Cowan netted one goal in the first period and added two more in the third, helping Canada secure a 7-1 win.

This was Cowan’s first hat trick in junior hockey, despite an impressive scoring record with the London Knights.

"I’m pretty sure it’s my first one in juniors so it’s pretty special. But hopefully I can do it in a real game." Cowan said on his hat trick per Masters.

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Team Canada will play Sweden in another exhibition game on Saturday before starting the tournament against Finland. With support from Leafs stars and his strong form, Cowan looks ready for a big World Juniors.

Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs are on a tear this season

Auston Matthews played in the Maple Leafs' 6-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Friday after missing the morning's practice. Earlier, he missed nine games this season due to an upper-body injury. Matthews went to Germany for an assessment and since returning, he has registered six goals and six assists. This season Matthews has recorded 11 goals and 12 assists in 24 games.

Matthews has been crucial in Toronto’s 14 wins, contributing eight goals and eight assists. In losses, he has added three goals and four assists. The Maple Leafs are 21-10-2 and lead the Atlantic Division with hopes of a deeper playoff run.

Goalie Anthony Stolarz is out till at least late January so they called on goalie Matt Murray to share the load with Joseph Woll. Murray made 24 saves in his first NHL game since April 2, 2023, earning his first win since March 2023.

“It was a busy day, a lot of emotions,” Murray said, per NHL.com, “I tried to keep them in check for the most part because obviously there's a game to play... So super happy to get the win.”

Bobby McMann, Auston Matthews, Nicholas Robertson, Max Domi, Max Pacioretty, and William Nylander scored for the Leafs.