Matthews Sparks Leafs as Power Play Surges Ahead of Red Wings Clash
Right now, a lot of attention is being pulled toward the Toronto Maple Leafs as they head into their matchup against the Detroit Red Wings, and it’s not just because of the scoreline from their latest game. The story is being driven by momentum, uncertainty, and a power play that suddenly looks alive again.
The Leafs are coming off a wild 7–5 win over the Ottawa Senators, a game that felt chaotic but also revealing. One of the biggest talking points coming out of it has been William Nylander. He left the game early in the second period after taking what looked like a painful slash near the crease. While he is traveling with the team to Detroit, his status remains up in the air due to lower-body discomfort. The situation has been described as day-to-day, and whether he actually suits up against the Red Wings is still unknown. Still, the fact that he’s on the trip has been taken as a positive sign.
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Even with that concern hanging over them, Toronto found something they’ve been searching for all season: a productive power play. Entering the game, the Leafs were sitting dead last in power-play efficiency, and those struggles had already led to a coaching change behind the scenes. Against Ottawa, though, things finally clicked. Early in the game, Auston Matthews set up Nylander for a power-play goal just 40 seconds in. Not long after, Max Domi fed Matthew Knies for another man-advantage marker, giving Toronto a quick 2–0 lead.
That success carried over into the second period, where Matthews buried a rebound off a Max Domi shot, calmly stashing it home to put the Leafs up 4–2. That goal felt important, not just in the game, but for Matthews personally. He snapped a four-game pointless streak and finished with a three-point night, recording a goal and two assists. His tally was also his 416th career goal, bringing him within four of Mats Sundin’s franchise record, a milestone that’s clearly coming into view.
Beyond the goals, emotions were running high. Old playoff wounds between Toronto and Ottawa were reopened, scrums broke out late, and the intensity never really cooled down. Newcomer Troy Stecher drew praise for his energy and competitiveness, with teammates and coaches noting how his effort seems to be rubbing off on the group.
Now, as the Leafs prepare to face Detroit, the focus shifts forward. Can the power play keep rolling? Will Nylander be healthy enough to play? And can Matthews continue to drive the offense the way he did last night? Those answers will start to come into focus against the Red Wings, but for now, Toronto looks like a team that may have finally turned a corner at a crucial moment.
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