Everywhere on the Maple Leafs’ just-completed Western Canadian road trip were Auston Matthews sweaters — in the crowd, on the streets. “We’re past those ‘lesson’ games,” Matthews declared when asked about a trend of slow starts this season. He’s well beyond his years.”This is not to beat the drum that Matthews is ready to take the Leafs’ vacant captaincy. The decision not to give anyone that letter was the right one based on how Matthews and other young Leafs have excelled without such distractions. Minus Matthews with a suspected back ailment last month, the Leafs still won all four games.

Source: Daily Sun December 03, 2017 21:33 UTC