Auston Matthews’ Performance and Concerns
As Team USA’s captain, Matthews was expected to be a key offensive leader. However, he recorded only one assist in two games and missed the matchup against Sweden, raising concerns about his health. Johnson pointed out that other injured players, such as Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy, still participated in the games, which made Matthews’ absence even more noticeable. Given that Team USA had one less forward, his unavailability was significant.
How have the Maple Leafs played at the 4 Nations Face-Off?@mike_p_johnson gives his grades for Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander’s performances at the tournament. #4Nations #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/BHWrQzz7tz
— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) February 19, 2025
Johnson questioned whether Matthews had re-aggravated a previous injury, given his limited impact in the tournament. Despite playing hard, he did not stand out as a game-changer. Johnson assessed his performance as a B-minus or C-plus, recognizing his efforts but noting that he did not significantly influence the outcomes.
“For Auston… I’m a little worried. Was he never entirely healthy? … Down the stretch, I’m going to give him a B-minus. He’s the captain. He’s done a good job leading. He’s played hard. He’s hit a couple of posts…” Johnson said.
Mitch Marner’s Struggles with Team Canada
Marner, who played for Canada, also struggled offensively. He initially lined up alongside Connor McDavid but failed to contribute much in the scoring department. His most notable moment came when he scored an overtime goal against Sweden.
Initially, Johnson considered giving Marner a C grade but decided on a B-minus due to his clutch goal. He acknowledged that Marner played well defensively but was unable to make a significant offensive impact.
William Nylander’s Underwhelming Performance for Sweden
William Nylander, the Maple Leafs’ $92 million forward, represented Sweden in the tournament but did not deliver a standout performance. While he managed to score a few points, he failed to step up in crucial moments. Sweden avoided regulation losses, but Nylander did not make a difference in overtime situations.
Johnson rated Nylander’s tournament performance as a B-minus, stating that while he played well, he was not a decisive factor in games.
Overall Take on the Maple Leafs Players
Summing up his thoughts on the trio, Johnson noted that none of them had an outstanding tournament. They played adequately but did not elevate their teams to another level.
“As far as just general impact on games, it hasn’t happened with the puck, although, of course, he’s [Matthews] been good defensively, like everybody has been in the tournament. So, not necessarily a standout, banner tournament for any of the Leafs guys right now. They’ve all been fine, but none has been great,” Johnson remarked.
Team USA Prepares for the Final Against Canada
Team USA secured its place in the championship game with a 3-1 victory over Canada. Matthews did not score but played a strong defensive game, registering three hits. His presence on the ice contributed to Team USA’s dominance in the matchup. Despite being booed in Montreal, he remained focused and helped his team advance.
Following Monday’s 2-1 loss to Sweden, Team USA will need to regroup before facing Canada in the final at TD Garden in Boston. Matthews made it clear that his sole objective for the game is to win.
“We’re here to win,” Matthews stated. “That’s about it. That’s the bottom line—we’re here to win.”