Maple Leafs face must-win urgency as Auston Matthews’ crisis threatens to derail Toronto’s postseason ambitions (Getty Images) Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff chances have become the central talking point in a season that feels heavier with every passing week. Even after a sharp 4-0 shutout win against the New Jersey Devils, the standings refuse to lie. Toronto sits near the bottom of the Atlantic Division with an 18-15-6 record, a position that clashes with the expectations attached to this roster. The victory offered relief, not reassurance. Questions linger louder than the cheers, and the answers are proving difficult to find.At the heart of the concern is captain Auston Matthews. His presence still commands respect, but his impact has not matched the standard he set for years. Injuries have chipped away at his rhythm, while the numbers suggest something deeper than a brief slump. For a team built around elite star power, uncertainty at the top has a ripple effect that touches every line and every decision behind the bench.
Toronto Maple Leafs playoff chances hinge on Auston Matthews’ health and form
Matthews is again listed as day-to-day after blocking a shot against the Detroit Red Wings, adding to a season already interrupted by physical setbacks. A five-game absence earlier in the year disrupted his flow, and this latest issue has only intensified the anxiety around his availability. When Matthews is not driving play, Toronto looks ordinary, not dangerous.Statistically, the warning signs are hard to ignore. Matthews has 27 points in 33 games, solid for most players but modest by his elite standards. His shooting percentage has dipped to 11.7 percent, well below his career average of 15.6 percent. That gap suggests more than simple misfortune. It points to timing issues, confidence, and perhaps lingering discomfort.ESPN NHL insider Greg Wyshynski delivered a blunt assessment of the situation, raising doubts about where this path leads. “Auston Matthews is in his second season of offensive decline,” Wyshynski said. “There’s a Mitch Marner hole they’ve not done nearly anything to fill. Injuries have plagued them. Coach Craig Berube’s seat was so hot that GM Brad Treliving had to give him public support, while Peter DeBoer, the guy everyone assumed would be the next Leafs coach, called Berube to give him a pep talk.”Wyshynski also questioned the long-term outlook. “It has been a hard, weird, frustrating season for a team for whom the championship-contending window may have closed suddenly.”If there is a steady light, it belongs to William Nylander. With 41 points in 33 games, he has been Toronto’s most consistent force. Wyshynski’s MVP choice came with a warning. “That alone is a glaring sign that something isn’t right in Toronto.”Craig Berube remains cautious about Matthews’ return. “Fairly close. But, we’ll see how he is tomorrow. Hopefully, everything subsides a little bit more and see if he can get on the ice tomorrow. That would be good,” the coach said.Whether Matthews suits up against the Winnipeg Jets or not, the bigger issue remains. The Maple Leafs are running out of time to turn unease into belief, and belief into results.Also Read: Auston Matthews’ injury scare deepens as Maple Leafs HC offers cryptic update that raises more questions