May 1, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) shares a moment with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) following the Toronto Maple Leafs win in game six of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
When the moment demanded leadership, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews delivered.
With pressure mounting in the series, the Leafs needed someone to step up.
Their captain answered in a big way in Game 6 against the Ottawa Senators. At 18:50 of the first period, the 27-year-old got on the board with a power-play marker. He slid the puck along the ice past a screened Linus Ullmark to give the Leafs a 1-0 lead – sparking an eventual 4-2 victory in the Battle of Ontario on Thursday night. The win sent Toronto to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for just the second time since 2004.
“I thought Kniesy was screening the goalie really well. I just tried to get it in there, and luckily it found its way through,” Matthews explained post-game.
The goal represented far more than the game’s opener; instead, it ended the Leafs’ 0-for-30 power-play drought in elimination games, a streak that dated back to 2018. It was the first power-play goal scored by a Maple Leaf in a series-clinching game since Patrick Marleau did it seven years ago against the Boston Bruins in Game 7 on April 25, 2018.
Matthews’ goal was his second of the 2025 postseason and the 25th of his playoff career, tying him with Darryl Sittler, Syl Apps, and Bob Pulford for seventh all-time in franchise history. It was also the second time he’s opened the scoring in a series-clinching Game 6, repeating what he accomplished against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023.
His tally set the tone and helped the Leafs end the opening frame on a high note, but his impact exceeded the scoresheet and was effective in all areas of the ice, said head coach Craig Berube.
“I think our captain led the away,” he said.
“(His) work ethic and competitiveness the whole game, high-end. I don't know what his face-off percentage is right now, but it's high. I didn't see him lose too many draws. It starts there, and just heavy physical work, competing. Touched all areas of the game for us tonight in a good way. PK, power play, obviously scored a big goal. So, like I said, he led the way,” Berube added.
Indeed, Matthews dominated the faceoff circle, winning 16 draws (72.7%). He was also impactful on special teams, helping kill off both of Ottawa’s power-play chances while logging three shots, three hits, and 18:29 of ice time across 30 shifts – in addition to his goal on the man advantage.
The Leafs had dropped Games 4 and 5 after building a 3-0 series lead, going 0-for-7 on the man advantage in those losses while giving up shorthanded goals in each. Matthews’ goal in Game 6 not only broke that trend but set the tone for a more composed and complete effort from Toronto.
Toronto worked to earn a 2-0 lead early in the second period before Ottawa eventually rallied back with two goals to tie it. However, Max Pacioretty scored the series winner late in the third period, marking his fourth career series-clinching goal and first goal since December.
“It feels good. Yeah, it feels good,” said Matthews after the win.
“We talked about it this morning, it’s not going to be easy. We’ve spoken about it. There’s going to be ups and downs. Just the way we responded after goals against, just sticking with it, grabbing the momentum back. A couple of big plays by some guys tonight. Big goal by Patch. Just proud of this group. It’s a hard-earned series and gotta enjoy that. Take the good, take the bad, and now move on to the next one,” he added.
Given their history, the ‘Core Four’ and the Leafs were beginning to hear the same harsh criticisms after dropping back-to-back potential elimination games – including being shut out on home ice in Game 5. Doubts began to creep in externally, with narratives resurfacing about Toronto’s inability to close when it matters most. Entering Game 6, the Leafs had lost 13 of their last 14 elimination games dating back to 2018.
But as they’ve done all series long, Matthews emphasized that the focus was on the players in the locker room, staying composed, focused, and being able to execute. He stressed that the outside noise was “in one ear and out the other,” and that belief within the group never wavered. The leadership group, led by Matthews, kept the message consistent, backing it up with three goals, two assists, and five points among the ‘Core Four’ in Game 6 – closing out the series in their third attempt.
“Just the confidence in ourselves, and like I talked about, nothing else really matters. All the outside stuff doesn’t really matter. It’s about the 20, 25 guys that are in our room. The belief in one another. Doing it for one another. And just going out there and competing. This one feels good,” said Matthews.
“All that stuff on the outside, it’s in one ear, out the other,” he added. “It’s all about the guys in the room, and the focus is going to continue to be on all 20, 25 guys in our room, and just focusing on that. Just continuing to do what we can for one another. Just continue to push.”
Toronto is now 5-0 in the playoffs when Matthews and William Nylander both score in the same game, as Matthews, the former No. 1 overall pick, finished the series with two goals, five assists, and seven points.
The win set up a second-round rematch from the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the defending champions, the Florida Panthers, which the Leafs previously lost in five games.
“It’s going to be another hard series. They’re defending champs, back-to-back cup finals. It’s going to be hard,” said Matthews. “We’ve definitely got to reset, do our homework, rest up, do what we can, and go in there with confidence and go in there with some pushback.”
The star forward helped guide the Leafs through the storm. When Toronto needed him most, their captain led the way – and that’ll have to remain consistent in the second round.
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