Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Continues to Struggle in High Stakes Games – The Hockey Writers Toronto Maple Leafs Latest News, Analysis & More

It isn’t often to see anybody considered favourites other than Canada in a best-on-best event, but many felt the USA may have put together a better roster than their northern neighbour for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

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Though the Americans didn’t possess a player of Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon’s skill level up front, they entered the tournament with a stacked blue line (albeit without Quinn Hughes) and a huge advantage in goaltending. And, while they may not have possessed the same elite talents up front, they had the best goal scorer in the NHL in Auston Matthews. Put all that together, and they had a team many felt was capable of beating the Canadians.

Matthews Goes Goalless at 4 Nations

Unfortunately for the Americans, they weren’t able to rely on Matthews the way the team and fans alike expected they were going to be able to. The 27-year-old was presented a great opportunity on the world’s biggest stage to prove himself as one of the best American-born players of all time, but failed to do so.

Matthews was essentially a non-factor in the USA’s first two games, failing to make much of anything happen offensively and often being completely unnoticeable. To his credit, he was much better in last night’s final, but failed to come up with the big goal his team needed despite having a couple golden opportunities in overtime.

The Maple Leafs’ star talent wound up going goalless in the tournament while finishing with just three points, two of which he registered last night. Whether fair or not, questions on whether he can maintain his usual elite level of play when the stakes are at their highest will continue to remain.

Making matters worse for Matthews was that he was one of the players directly responsible for McDavid’s overtime winner. He failed to remain on McDavid, who was left completely alone just outside of the slot, allowing for Mitch Marner to find him. It was never in doubt when fans saw the puck on his stick with that much time and space, and sure enough, the Edmonton Oilers captain was able to wire one over the shoulder of Connor Hellebuyck for the victory.

Injury May Have Played a Part

In defence of Matthews, it was clear he was playing this tournament at less than 100 percent. He wound up sitting out of Monday’s game versus Sweden with an undisclosed ailment, but was deemed healthy enough to play last night. While unconfirmed, there are many who believe he’s been battling an injury for the vast majority of the 2024-25 season. He’s also missed 15 games on the season due to an upper-body injury, which may continue to be bothering him.

Related: 3 Maple Leafs’ Takeaways From 4 Nations Face-Off

That said, the best players seem to find a way, and to this point, Matthews has been unable to do that throughout his professional career. This is far from the first time he’s struggled on the big stage, as he’s been the best player on a Maple Leafs team that seems to choke year in and year out in the playoffs. Over 55 career postseason games, Matthews has 23 goals and 48 points, numbers that are quite underwhelming for a player who scored 69 goals in 81 just a season ago.

Marner Comes Up Clutch

The one positive for Maple Leafs fans regarding their players is that Marner had himself a big showing in this tournament. While there were some quiet moments from him, he stepped up when his team needed him. Not only did he score the overtime winner in Canada’s first game versus Sweden, but he was able to set up McDavid on a goal that will forever be part of hockey history.

Marner, like Matthews, finished the tournament with just three points, but was able to get his in huge moments. That bodes well for the Maple Leafs come the playoffs, though if Matthews performs like he did in this event, it may not wind up making much of a difference.