And teh way Matthews stomped through his return from a one-game foot injury, things have never looked better this troubled season for the superstar or the logo he represents.

“He carried us to the win tonight,” Bobby McMann said, as the Toronto Maple Leafs rang in the new year with a wildly entertaining 6-5 comeback barnburner over what’s left of the Winnipeg Jets.

Matthews had scored Toronto’s only goal of the first 30 minutes,a net-driving tip off a Max Domi feed.

Leafs starter Joseph Woll had gotten the yank,in favour of relief specialist Dennis Hildeby,after surrendering four on 17 shots – a move coach Craig Berube would characterize as a ploy to shift momentum.

But these reinvigorated Maple Leafs,more trusting of their teamwork and special teams,didn’t panic or sulk.

“Belief” is how scrappy defenceman Troy Stecher described the bench vibes down by a field goal at halftime. “It never felt like the game was out of reach. And that’s not to discredit them. I think that’s to credit us as a group. And understanding that you put your nose to the grindstone and you continue to work, and good things are going to happen.”

Oliver Ekman-Larsson found twine. Then Matthews followed with his second of the night, on the red-hot power-play, a slick snipe with just two seconds remaining in Period 2.

“Kinda gives you life and momentum going into the third,” matthews said. “Never know what can happen.”

A hair-on-fire third frame was capped by Matthews’ unassisted game-winner in the 56th minute.

As Scotiabank Arena’s cleanup crew collected the littered hats doffed in party of Ma

Matthews’ All-Around Game Driving Maple Leafs’ success

Auston matthews isn’t just scoring; he’s impacting the game in ways that give his teammates confidence. Stecher explains that Matthews’ positioning in the defensive zone and his skillful stickwork reassure Toronto’s defencemen, letting them play a tighter game knowing he’ll be in the right spot.

“It’s a trickle-down effect. His attention to detail is unbelievable,” Stecher said.”Defensively, it helps him create offense, as he can strip pucks and then quickly join the rush.”

weather it’s subtle defensive plays, a quickness with the puck, or an energetic stride, this is easily the captain’s best hockey of the 2025-26 season. It’s a complete performance that’s lifting the entire team.

it almost feels like something magical happened – did a German doctor slide down Matthews’ chimney on Christmas Eve?

“He’s taking pucks right in the middle of the ice more and attacking, going one-on-one with defenders and winning those battles,” Berube noted. “His attack mentality around the net is noticeable, and he looks like he’s getting more power behind his shots. Just more oomph on the shot.”

We’re sure Eric Comrie – the Winnipeg Jets backup goalie who faced a tired team in the second game of a back-to-back, resulting in two regulation losses – would agree.

Trust is building within the Maple Leafs’ locker room, and so is their point streak (now at five games running!).

But perhaps the most encouraging sign as Toronto heads into 2026 on a winning note is the Matthews-esque play of Auston Matthews himself.