After a tough 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews spoke candidly about the team’s poor performance. In a post-game interview (seen below), Matthews shared that his Maple Leafs didn’t meet anyone’s expectations. He emphasized their need for improvement and better execution.
Matthews: “We Weren’t Good Enough”
Matthews didn’t sugarcoat his assessment of the game. The team needs more responsibility. He shared that their performance “wasn’t good enough.” As the captain, he took personal responsibility for setting the tone. He needs to help drive the team, which he felt was lacking in this game.
The Maple Leafs’ sloppy play allowed St. Louis to jump on Toronto’s mistakes. Matthews saw the team’s inability to stick to their structure and maintain focus as the two biggest culprits. These errors led to costly turnovers and missed chances.
The Maple Leafs Had Defensive Breakdowns and Lacked Execution
One of the most glaring issues Matthews highlighted was the team’s failure to defend the slot. The Maple Leafs gave up high-danger scoring chances by not positioning themselves in the right spots, which allowed the Blues to score five goals on the night.
Matthews pointed out that the team’s poor defense was a significant factor in the loss. To prevent similar outcomes in the future, the team must check harder, limit high-danger chances, and improve its overall defense.
The Maple Leafs Missed Chances to Respond
Given that this was the team’s second loss in a row, Matthews voiced his frustration with the Maple Leafs’ lack of response after their previous loss. He believed that the team should have bounced back stronger. That the opponent was the Blues even made it worse. Did his team not think St. Louis was a competitive team?
The Maple Leafs have been inconsistent in their responses following tough losses. After losing to the Blues, Matthews understands that the players must push back much harder and mentally challenge themselves to be ready for future games.
The Bottom Line: The Maple Leafs Are Searching for Consistency
Matthews’ comments about the team’s loss to the Blues reflect shortcomings. Now, the team must seek consistency. While they believe in their talent and potential, games like the one against St. Louis reveal underlying issues that must be addressed.
The team’s defensive discipline and ability to respond must improve. If the Maple Leafs want to win, they must take Matthews’ words to heart and step up their game. The St. Louis game was unacceptable for a team that considers itself a contender.
Related: Maple Leafs’ David Kämpf Could Be the Missing Piece for the Flames
