3 Maple Leafs that need to step up in the absence of Matthews

"Without Matthews available for Toronto for the remainder of the year, who can lead the way to help the team finish respectably down the stretch? Here, we will take a look at 3 Maple Leafs that need to step it up in the absence of their beloved captain."

"With Matthews now gone for the year, Domi will now be handed the big responsibility of centering the team's second line from here on out. Originally a center by trade, the 31-year-old forward has had the most success with the Maple Leafs while playing on the wing in their top two lines during his tenure with the club."

"As the former captain of the Leafs prior to handing the reigns to Matthews, there is no better candidate to step up and lead the way for Toronto for the rest of the season than John Tavares. After all, it was during Tavares' tenure as the team captain when the Maple Leafs posted five consecutive winning seasons."

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a challenging situation after captain Auston Matthews suffered a serious knee injury against Anaheim that will sideline him for the rest of the season. With Matthews unavailable, the team must rely on other players to help salvage their disappointing campaign. Max Domi, a 31-year-old forward earning $3.75 million annually, will assume a larger role centering the second line after primarily playing wing. John Tavares, the former captain, represents another key option to provide leadership and production. Both players must elevate their performance to help Toronto finish respectably during the remainder of the year.

Read at Editor In Leaf