Despite the dry spell, fellow Maple Leafs star forwards Mitch Marner pushed back on any notion that Matthews is frustrated or off his game. “Everyone wants to produce, wants to score goals, and he hasn’t let it get him down at all,” Marner said. “His mood, his demeanor in the locker room, has been unbelievable.

Still, the Maple Leafs find themselves in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference Second Round, tied 2-2 with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers entering a crucial Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, TVAS, ESPN).

The Toronto Maple Leafs will need far more from Auston Matthews if they hope to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.