Whether they are with or without Auston Matthews, the Maple Leafs want to emulate the type of defensive effort they gave in a 1-0 overtime win over New Jersey on Thursday. That task would be easier with Matthews, who many opponents say is underrated for his defensive play, but the playing status of the star centre remains uncertain. “I’m taking it day to day,” Matthews said Friday, when asked if he would play in Saturday’s road game in Montreal. He has missed four games, all Leafs wins. The Leafs have focused on their defensive play in his absence, especially clogging up the neutral zone and shutting down quality chances in their own zone.

Source: thestar November 17, 2017 22:56 UTC