Leafs Surge with Matthews Out, Matias Maccelli in Spotlight

0:00This is Cory with the story with NHL News today, powered by the Daily News Now. Subscribe for daily updates on your team. The Toronto Maple Leaf space the New York Islanders tonight after picking up five points in their last three games. This surge comes at a tough time with star-forward Austin Matthews, sideline by injury. Instead of folding, the team has shown real grit and effort to stay in the fight. A bright spot has been forward-gruel, who has three goals in his last four games. His energy and direct style match what new coach Craig Baroubi wants, bringing much needed scoring depth beyond the usual suspects. Fans and analysts are buzzing about the team's player decisions, like whether to qualify Matthias McKelley at $4.1 million. He's heating up with solid offense and chemistry alongside William Nylander, filling a key gap in middle six scoring that Toronto desperately needs. Meanwhile, former Leaf Bobby McMahon is thriving after the trade deadline deal to Seattle. He notched five points, including three goals, and his first two games with the Kraken

1:04under coach Lane Lambert, who knows him well from Toronto days. The Leafs still trail by ten points in the standings, but this renewed push makes them worth watching again. Even if the playoffs are a long shot, the hard work has reignited interest heading into this matchup against a strong Islander squad featuring. 18-year-old top draft pick, Matthew Schaeffer. Support for this DNN episode comes from our sponsor. Some chase piece, I put my head in it, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.