TORONTO – On the day earlier than the USA Olympic hockey group roster unveiling, Auston Matthews exhibited why he shall be one of many Stars and Stripes’ main males.
The Toronto Maple Leafs captain scored thrice, together with the game-winner with 4:22 remaining, to steer his membership to a 6-5 come-from-behind win in opposition to the struggling Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
“Yeah, it’s thrilling,” Matthews mentioned. “You see Canada’s group and another groups which have come out. It appears like (the Winter Olympics) are proper across the nook, solely 5 or 6 weeks away. So positively, I’m very anxious to see (the U.S. roster).”
Matthews registered his 14th profession hat trick and 66th profession game-winner. His second aim, on the facility play, with two seconds remaining within the second interval to tug the Maple Leafs inside 4-3 after falling behind 4-1, was his 232nd aim on residence ice, permitting him to cross Darryl Sittler’s 44-year-old franchise report.
“It’s enjoyable to look at,” mentioned Bobby McMann, who has performed on Matthews proper wing in latest outings. “It exhibits his management.”
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“He’s our captain for a cause,” added defenceman Troy Stecher, who slapped residence the tying aim earlier within the third interval. “He’s our chief. It was a heck of a efficiency.”
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Matthews missed the Maple Leafs’ earlier recreation with a lower-body ailment. He needed to swimsuit up, however with the heavy schedule, Toronto head coach Craig Berube satisfied his captain to take an evening off and heal.
“You need to play each recreation and battle by means of some stuff,” Matthews mentioned. “Typically it simply doesn’t work out that method. Like I mentioned this morning, we’re taking part in plenty of video games in not plenty of time. So typically you’ll have these two days to type of relaxation or attempt to get some handle, no matter you’re coping with.”
In his three video games because the Christmas break, Matthews has checked in with 4 objectives and eight factors. He now sits just one aim behind Mats Sundin’s franchise report of 420.
“It’s particular simply to be in the identical sentence as him,” Matthews mentioned. “Guys like him and quite a few others which have come earlier than us paved the way in which to put on this jersey. I feel all of us take plenty of pleasure in carrying the jersey and understand how particular it’s.
“It positively means lots. I’ve been attempting not to consider it. It’s exhausting if you guys (reporters) deliver it up every single day.”
The Maple Leafs have gained three of 4 in six nights since getting back from the Christmas break. They’ve moved to inside two factors of the Buffalo Sabres, who maintain down the second wild-card and remaining playoff spot.
Berube credit the group’s improved forecheck and improved drive to the online for the great run. On Matthews’ game-winner, his different linemate, Easton Cowan, hurried Winnipeg netminder Eric Comrie to freeze the puck along side the online. When Comrie tousled, the puck slid to Matthews out entrance for a straightforward aim.
“I like our forecheck, just like the final aim,” Berube mentioned. “It’s that type of stuff we’re forcing groups into dangerous turnovers.
“After which offensively, I feel we’re related proper now. On the push, we’re driving to the online very well proper now.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 2, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
