Ex-NHLers make their feelings known about Toronto Maple Leafs PP shining in Auston Matthews' absence

By ARJUN B

Modified Nov 13, 2024 03:21 GMT

The Toronto Maple Leafs' power play has been impressive in recent games, even without star center Auston Matthews in the lineup. Matthews has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury.

In the 13 games Matthews played before getting injured, the Leafs went 4 for 40 on the power play, with a 10% conversion rate. But in the three games without Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs have scored on 7 of their 13 power play opportunities, with a 53.8% conversion.

Ex-NHLers Brian Boyle and Mike Rupp discussed the Leafs' power play success on the "NHL Now" podcast. When asked about the power play clicking without Matthews, Boyle joked "I'll trade him."

Boyle said it's not actually a problem that the power play is succeeding without its top weapon.

“There's different things happening, powerplay is all about chemistry and figuring out ways to create scoring chances and when you can't do that you change some things up, and then, maybe squeezing the stick, you never think to take Austin Matthews off," Boyle said.

"But if I'm not feeling it, if I'm not, even Marner, William Nylander who is on the power play, they're not quite feeling it, when you get that man advantage, you're gonna defer to your best player and that's Austin Matthews.”

Boyle believes that while you'd never want to take a player like Matthews off the top power play unit, his absence has given the other players a chance to gain confidence and momentum. Now they know they can produce without solely relying on Matthews' brilliance.

When Matthews returns from injury, Boyle expects the power play to reach even greater heights with him back in the fold.

Mike Rupp's comments about Toronto Maple Leafs' PP in Auston Matthews's absence

Mike Rupp agreed with Boyle's assessment, noting that Auston Matthews' absence could actually simplify things and lead to more efficient play.

"These are good things, maybe its simplifying, you don't have superman out on the ice, you're kinda keeping it more efficient. Lot like we looked at Florida Panthers, just get it to the net, may be lot of passes, maybe looking for the next perfect play.” Rupp said.

Rupp suggested that with a world-class talent like Matthews, there can be a tendency to overthink and attempt low-percentage plays.

Rupp added that it's not a headache for the Leafs to perform well without Matthews; it's a good problem to have.