Apr 22, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) and Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk (7) line up for a face off in the second period in game two of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
There are some similarities and some differences ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ second-round rematch against the Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This time around, captain Auston Matthews is bringing more than just his notable scoring touch to the table.
He’s bringing control and dominance in the faceoff dot.
Matthews has evolved into one of the most effective centermen in the league, particularly in the circle, and it's become a defining feature of his game in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Through six games, the 27-year-old has won 69 of 116 faceoffs, good for a 59.5% win rate. That includes a dominant 16-for-22 performance (72.7%) in Game 6 against the Ottawa Senators, where Toronto closed out the series on the road.
“He's got tremendous hands and timing with the puck all over the ice. So not surprising that he brings that to the dot along with his size and the leverage that he can create. So, very intelligent player,” said teammate John Tavares of Matthews.
“It's a chess match in there sometimes. Being able to read your opponent and get a feel for things and get a sense of your timing and obviously how to be effective and win draws is really important. He's shown tremendous, I think, I don't know if growth is the right word, but he just keeps getting better and better, and that part of his game is just becoming really well-rounded,” he added.
Matthews’ emergence as a two-way forward is one of the biggest reasons the Leafs, as a whole, have taken a step. In previous seasons, relied on as a pure goal-scorer, the former No. 1 overall pick has progressively become an all-situations player, logging heavy minutes on both the power play and penalty kill. He finished the regular season with 33 goals and 45 assists for 78 points in 67 games, but perhaps more impressively, posted a career-high 56.8% faceoff percentage – winning 695 draws.
That well-rounded game showed up in round one. Matthews not only helped lead with seven points (2G, 5A) against Ottawa, but he also set the tone defensively.
“I think our captain led us away,” said head coach Craig Berube after Game 6. “(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.”
By the numbers, Matthews has succeeded in this area of the game under Berube in his first season as bench boss. That elevated level of detail and consistency hasn’t gone unnoticed, and the forward credited Berube for his approach and contributions to his growth since he arrived.
“I think everybody's being able to pick stuff up and improve in different areas, whether it's on the ice, off the ice, leadership roles, stuff like that. I think he really challenges guys to improve, and it's been a really good process,” said Matthews of Berube and his play in round one on Sunday.
But in the second round, Matthews will face a tough individual challenge, lining up against two-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner Aleksander Barkov. He’ll certainly have his work cut out for him going up against Barkov, who was nominated for the award again this season.
“He's big. He's strong. He's good in the face-off circle. He's probably the best two-way player, two-way center, at least in the league in my opinion. Offensively, he's extremely skilled and talented as well as defensively," said Matthews. "So it's always a challenge going up against guys like that. Like I kind of said earlier, you've got to stay patient with our game and just continue to compete out there and work for your chances. You've got to fight for every inch.”
Barkov’s faceoff numbers have been nearly identical to Matthews in the circle this postseason. The 29-year-old has won 51 of 86 draws (59.3%) in five games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, setting the stage for a notable battle down the middle.
That matchup will be front and center as the Leafs look to avenge themselves from the 2023 second-round exit. In that series, Toronto was slow out of the gates and was beaten by Florida’s ability to control the middle on top of a lack of experience. But Matthews, now more complete than ever, gives Toronto more hope in that fight after a career year in that department.
