Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews publicly addressed his team's obvious slump following the team's 3rd consecutive loss. The Toronto Maple Leafs are now on their longest losing streak of the season after falling 4-1 at home to the Dallas Stars.

As captain, Matthews hopes to emulate Thornton's leadership qualities, led by his focus on inclusivity and bringing everyone together.

Matthews has missed each of the Maple Leafs' last five games with an upper-body injury and will sit out of tonight's affair after being added to the injured reserve on Tuesday. Toronto has found some success without its captain, but that doesn't change that Craig Berube's team is significantly better when the 27-year-old is healthy.

Returning from his second absence this season due to an upper-body injury, Matthews logged a season-low 17:32. The back-and-forth nature of the game saw Matthews play more in the third period, particularly as Toronto was defending the 5-on-6 situation as Boston looked for a tying goal.

The captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs is nearing playing for the United States at upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.

Dreger echoed Ferraro’s perspective, adding that Matthews’ return may in fact align with the Four Nations Faceoff, which begins on Feb. 12. Matthews will represent Team USA for the first time since 2016 and was one of the first six players included in the roster last summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving believes Auston Matthews will be more than ready for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off after returning to the lineup in January.