Although it was an erratic January for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews’ goal-scoring prowess was perhaps the lone constant. For the better part of two seasons, Matthews’ dip from his 2023-24 form has been a daily talking point, with many offering their theories and informed speculation about Toronto’s captain. Matthews set the tone with a New Year’s Day hat-trick against the Winnipeg Jets, and he leads all players with nine goals at 5-on-5 since January 1, tied with Montreal’s Cole Caufield.

The key to Matthews’ uptick has been his acceleration and explosiveness. Everyone is waiting for Matthews to get his patented curl-and-drag release off and he is shooting with greater velocity since January. It’s Matthews’ increased speed that is truly standing out over the past month, where he’s been able to get to high-danger areas with routine frequency.

“It affects the rest of the group and elevates everybody’s game, in my opinion,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Matthews on January 19. “He has been excellent for quite some time, driving play for us. I think our team is really feeding off that, too.”

Below is a good example of Matthews using space well at 4-on-4. Against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, Matthews is given plenty of time to accelerate through the neutral zone and rips a shot unimpeded past Trent Miner for the go-ahead goal. It’s not a highlight-reel goal by any means, but it does illustrate that you can’t give Matthews time and space, as his shot is a real threat again.Matthews has been primarily situated with Bobby McMann and Max Domi through the calendar year of 2026. The underlying numbers aren’t always promising: McMann-Matthews-Domi have been outscored 13-12, with a 49.6 percent share of the expected goals at 5-on-5 in 190:07 at 5-on-5 since January 1, via Natural Stat Trick. This would seemingly imply that Matthews has fared much better without his wingers, but the limited sample doesn’t indicate this. And yet, Matthews’ improved skating has allowed to re-emerge as one of the NHL’s most dangerous players at 5-on-5.

McMann’s elite straight-line speed doesn’t always translate in the stat sheet and it’s allowed Matthews to find some greater potency off the rush. The 29-year-old winger has recorded the fourth-fastest skating speed of any NHL player this season via NHL Edge, and spoke about how he’s able to compliment Matthews’ game.

“I don’t know about explosion, but his lateral movement has been more noticeable for sure,” Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann said of Matthews to The Leafs Nation on January 19. “The way he’s shooting, but when he receives passes, how he sets himself up in plays, going through the middle. He’s been going east-west a lot more, and he’s having success with it. I think I play a bit more straight-line, so it’s good to have guys who can play east-west. A little more cerebral and they slow down the game a little bit and I try to push the pace and move it up a bit more.”

“I think Auston likes playing in the middle. My job is to transition the puck, and I like having the puck in the neutral zone, so it’s fun,” Maple Leafs forward Max Domi said on January 19.

Matthews isn’t always known for his blazing speed, but he can punish opponents when caught slipping. Below is an example from a January 19 game against the Minnesota Wild, where Domi sends Matthews in all alone after a quick turnover.

The Captain makes them pay!!!

🎥: Amazon Prime | NHL

Matthews and Domi have connected well throughout the first two months of 2026. Domi’s lateral passing from the right wing is a role he’s optimized for, while Matthews’ skating and the threat of his shot opens up opportunities. Here’s an example of Matthews connecting with Domi for an OT winner against the Winnipeg Jets on January 17.

“I think he’s skating well right now,” Maple Leafs forward Nicolas Roy told The Leafs Nation on January 23 after the morning skate. “It’s a long season, so you’re always going to have up and downs. Times where you feel better, times when it’s a little harder, but obviously he’s playing really well right now. He’s one of these guys that when he’s feeling it, he’s obviously one of the best players in the league, it’s fun to watch.”

It’s been a turbulent start to the calendar year, but Matthews’ scoring and skating are the lone constants for the Maple Leafs. It will take a Herculean run from Matthews for the Maple Leafs to make the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season. Matthews’ lateral movement and explosiveness will be paramount qualities for a Maple Leafs team trying to sneak into the dance, given 10.1 percent odds of making the playoffs at this juncture.

PRESENTED BY DAILY FACEOFF’S OLYMPIC COVERAGECatch Every Goal from the 2026 Milan Games! The 2026 Milan Games are almost here, and the world’s best men’s and women’s hockey players are ready to battle for gold! The Nation Network is bringing you every game, every jaw-dropping save, and all the drama with live reaction streams and full recaps. Don’t miss a moment of Olympic hockey action—men’s, women’s, and everything in between—on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel. Subscribe now and stay on top of every play!