In a tied series with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions the Florida Panthers, The Maple Leafs have been able to find production out of their top guys which has been a problem that has lingered with Toronto in postseason’s past.
If we look at the present day, the Buds have already found themselves beating the Ottawa Senators in the first round and are currently at two apiece with the Panthers in round 2.
These accomplishments have a lot to do with the big guys, with William Nylander currently tied for third-most points in the playoffs, Marner having a big moment with a game-winner in game 2 in the second round, and John Tavares continuing his scoring form from the regular season.
Even Forward Matthews Knies, who was expected to break out has overcome expectations being a valuable piece to the puzzle for this year’s playoff push, accumulating seven points in 10 games so far.
One name that hasn’t been mentioned is Auston Matthews.
Just like the other four names listed above, Matthews has yet to find his true offensive ability through 10 games with many fans and reporters wondering what could be wrong with the former 69 goal scorer.
Even with his offensive struggles, Matthews has still averaged a point per game this postseason with 10 points, but with only two goals to show for it, Many have asked the former Rocket Richard winner to step it up in the goals category.
Matthews has yet to score in the second round of the playoffs as he went goalless against the Panthers back in 2023, and has yet to put one on the board against Florida this year.
Matthews also leads the playoffs in shots missing the net with 19 so it’s not like he’s not getting his looks which has put many in a frenzy mentioning if he could be playing hurt or just not feeling right as during the season Matthews had missed time with an injury.
Could it be the injury that is affecting his offensive ability?
After today’s practice, Marner was asked about his captain struggling on the offensive side of the puck and how he is handling the drought.
“His mood, his energy, his demeanor in the locker room has been unbelievable through it all. You just try to stay patient with it, but yeah, Tones’s (Matthews) been great through it all, he’s the same guy through it all,” Marner said.
Even with Matthews scoring drought, he has still been able to be productive on the defensive side of the puck.
Matthews currently leads the team on five-on-five scoring chances while being on the ice at 10 goals for, while only being on the ice for three goals against with a plus 7 rating in plus/minus.
He has also had to take on a hard matchup in the Reinhart-Barkov-Verhaeghe line where he was a big part of why the line was quiet through the first two games of the series.
It wouldn’t be until Panthers head coach Paul Maurice would make the decision to keep his top line away from Matthews’ line that they were then able to start putting up points that helped the Panthers win two straight to tie the series up.
Matthews has also shown his defensive worth on the penalty kill which had been a bright spot for the Leafs captain.
Although Matthews’ great penalty killing, the Leafs will try to limit taking penalties as giving Florida four first-period power plays should not be in the books.
Even with Matthews being one of the best defensive forwards this postseason, it still leaves no excuses for why his offense has dried up so heavily.
For a player such as Matthews with as much scoring pedigree as he has, when he is not putting the puck in the net, the Leafs have a lesser chance of winning any series that they play. 
“The big goal is coming, that’s the way you have to think about it. Who knows when it’ll happen? But he’s going to get his looks,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said about Matthews’ scoring drought.
In a tied series with a chance to take back the lead at home, the Leafs will need their big guys to come in the clutch once again, including Matthews, who needs to break out of his drought if the Leafs have their eyes set on a Conference Final appearance.
