Auston Matthews has health and a contract extension on his side. A season-opening hat trick was a great start for the Maple Leafs superstar.
We witnessed it again in the season-opening 6-5 shootout win by Toronto against the visiting Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, when the Leafs superstar scored twice in the final five minutes of regulation, completing a hat trick to send the game to overtime.A burst by Matthews through the Canadiens defence in the extra period nearly resulted in No. 34’s second four-goal game in the National Hockey League, leaving it to linemate Mitch Marner to come through with the only shootout goal.
A couple of factors will work in Matthews’ favour in 2023-24. He has his health, as his hand/wrist issues seemingly have been put in the past, and there will be no contract talk hanging over him after he signed a four-year extension in August.“I think that was important for him,” Leafs captain John Tavares said of Matthews getting the contract done. “I think he’s just excited to lead the way and be great and be driven and get to where we want to get to.
“It’s special to see him up close and in practice every day,” winger Noah Gregor said. “His work ethic is something I’ve noticed is next level. The work he puts in off the ice as well, he’s one of the first guys in the rink at practice, he is getting work done, he’s getting treatment, he’s in the gym and he’s working on his craft. You see the things he does in the game. He’s a really special player.
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