‘A great deal of self-confidence’ amongst Maple Leafs entering into playoffs

The captain enjoys with where points stand.

Auston Matthews is never completely satisfied, obviously, as the Maple Leafs transform their focus to the Battle of Ontario in the preliminary of the Stanley Cup playoffs, yet the group’s leading centre has couple of quibbles with just how Toronto finished the routine period.

A 4-3 resurgence overtime win versus the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena placed a cap on an audio 2024-25 year for the Leafs, and Matthews acknowledged as much later.

“You go through 82 games, lots of ups, lots of downs, you try to find your footing at times,” Matthews stated. “I like the way that we’ve responded when we’ve had adversity. I think it’s inevitable that throughout the season you’re going to have those moments. And I think the way that we’ve responded has been really great.

“It has taken all 20 guys in the room some nights, other guys leading the way, goaltending, stuff like that. That’s what you need to win in big games and big moments.”

By no ways did the Leafs enter their very own means as the period wrapped up. After shedding to Ottawa on March 15, Toronto won 13 of its last 16 video games, consisting of a five-game winning touch in the long run.

As instructor Craig Berube stated in Buffalo on Tuesday after the Leafs defeated the Sabres to secure the Atlantic Division, the gamers purchased in. Matthews broadened a little bit on that particular on Thursday evening.

“I think we’re playing much more direct,” Matthews stated. “I wouldn’t say the style has changed dramatically, but I definitely think there’s certain parts of the game that we’ve keyed on and tried to be better in and have made more of an emphasis on playing more direct, physical.

“All in all, it’s pretty positive. Earning the division (title) and putting ourselves in a good spot and having a good last couple of weeks, we just want to continue to build that momentum. A lot of guys are playing with a lot of good confidence right now, goaltending, everything. You need everything to be clicking.”

The Battle of Ontario, for the very first time in the playoffs in 21 years, will certainly begin on Sunday evening with Game 1 at Scotiabank Arena.

“You see clips and videos and stuff like that,” Matthews stated. “The Battle of Ontario speaks for itself. It has been a long time … two very proud cities, proud franchises.

“I think we know what we’re in for. It’s going to be a tough series. It’s going to be a hard series and we have to mentally prepare for that.”

Defenceman Chris Tanev placed it finest post-game: “Now it’s time for us to get down business.”

The Leafs are well down that roadway. They have actually been secured for some time currently.

“Guys were really focused and wanted to get that division title,” Berube stated. “We really played well as a team, this last little stretch. Doing the right things without the puck and everybody dialed in.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

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