Maple Leafs HC Craig Berube gets honest about Auston Matthews' hot start compared to last season

Toronto Maple Leafs Head coach Craig Berube talked about captain Auston Matthews. Speaking to the media after practice Friday, Berube said Matthews has been solid and healthy this season. Matthews is in his second year as Leafs captain and is looking to bounce back after scoring just 33 goals last season.

“A lot of us saw that last year,” Berube said. “I mean, I think he's been pretty solid. I mean, again, well, we're going to look at the goal, right? I mean, I look at the whole game, but you know, he's scored. He's healthy. He's feeling good. He's been, he's been, he's been a good player in every facet of the game for me.”

Auston Matthews has four goals, one assist and 22 shots in five games. He's also been solid in his two-way game, with a 5 rating. He's averaging nearly 22 minutes per game and has already scored two game-winning goals.

Matthews scored the game-winning goal in Thursday's 2-1 overtime win against the Rangers. He and William Nylander broke through on a 2-on-1 in overtime, and Matthews scored past Igor Shesterkin. So far, Mathews is on a three-point streak and is projected to score 66 goals according to ESPN.

Auston Matthews scored just 33 goals last season due to injury, a sharp drop from his 69-goal season in 2023-24. In early October, Berube spoke about last year's performance.

“It was an off year,” Berube said, via NHL.com , “There were things going on behind the scenes. … He wasn't a fully healthy player, but he battled. I thought he played really well for what he was going through.”

Auston Matthews for being “happy” with his health

Earlier this month, Auston Matthews said he felt good about his game. He said training camp went well and he felt stronger every day.

“I'm feeling good,” Matthews said, via NHL.com, “And physically, I'm feeling better and better every day. So I'm very happy with where I'm at, and I just want to continue this momentum … continue to do what I can do to help the team win: produce offensively, play good defense and all the little details that I try to apply to my game.”

Rookie forward Easton Cowan is currently playing on the Leafs' top line with Matthews and Matthew Knies. There was a gap in this line after the forward trade Mitch Marner at the Las Vegas Golden Knights. But so far they have adapted well.