Auston Matthews Looks to Reignite His Star Power on Olympic Stage with Team USA
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament drops the puck this week, and all eyes are on Team USA - a roster stacked with elite talent, poised for a serious run at the podium. At the heart of that lineup is Auston Matthews, the Maple Leafs captain and one of the most intriguing players to watch in this tournament. For Matthews, this isn’t just another international showcase - it’s a chance to remind the hockey world exactly who he is.
A Shot at Redemption - and Respect
Let’s be honest: the last couple of seasons haven’t exactly gone according to script for Matthews. After lighting up the NHL with 69 goals in 81 games during the 2023-24 season - a number that had him knocking on the door of 70 and drawing comparisons to some of the game’s all-time great snipers - his production took a dip. He followed that monster campaign with a 33-goal season, a respectable number for most players, but a noticeable drop for someone of his caliber.
The result? Some fans and analysts started to cool on Matthews, bumping him down a tier from the likes of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby in the global conversation. But the Olympics offer a golden opportunity - literally and figuratively - for Matthews to reassert himself as one of the best players on the planet.
He’s expected to slot into a top-six role for Team USA, surrounded by offensive firepower. During the 4 Nations tournament, Matthews skated alongside Jake Guentzel, and the duo generated plenty of offensive pressure.
This time around, it’s projected that Clayton Keller will join that line, replacing Jack Hughes. Keller didn’t play in the 4 Nations, but his vision and playmaking instincts make him an ideal complement to Matthews’ scoring touch and Guentzel’s two-way game.
And let’s not overlook the early schedule. The Americans open group play against Latvia, Denmark, and Germany - three teams with limited NHL experience and nowhere near the depth of the U.S. roster.
That’s not to say they’re pushovers, but with only a handful of NHLers between them - Germany’s Leon Draisaitl being the standout - Matthews and company should have plenty of chances to fill the net. If he’s going to make a run at the tournament’s goal-scoring lead, the stage is set.
A Legacy-Building Moment
International success has long eluded USA Hockey at the senior men’s level. While there have been triumphs in the World Juniors - including back-to-back golds in 2024 and 2025 - the senior team has only one World Championship title in the modern era, a drought that finally ended with their win in 2025.
Before that? You’d have to go all the way back to 1933.
Matthews had a chance to add another trophy to the case at the 4 Nations Face-Off, but the U.S. fell just short. In a dramatic overtime loss to Canada, it was Matthews who left Connor McDavid open in the slot - a mistake that led to the game-winner and a moment that still stings. For a player who’s worn the weight of expectations for most of his career, this Olympic tournament is a shot at redemption.
Now, he’s not just a player on the team - he’s the captain. That “C” on his chest carries more than just symbolism.
It means leadership, accountability, and pressure - all magnified under the Olympic spotlight. He’ll be leaned on in the biggest moments, especially against top-tier competition in the medal rounds.
And after going goalless in the 4 Nations, there’s no question Matthews will be hungry to hit the scoresheet early and often.
Should Team USA go all the way and capture gold, Matthews would cement his name in American hockey history - not just as one of the NHL’s elite, but as a player who delivered when it mattered most on the international stage.
Olympic Momentum Could Spark a Leafs Revival
While the Olympics are the focus right now, there’s no ignoring what’s waiting for Matthews back in Toronto. The Leafs have had a rollercoaster season, and heading into the Olympic break, they were finally starting to show signs of life. A three-game win streak - including a big-time victory over the Oilers - helped stop the bleeding after a brutal stretch where they dropped six straight and lost eight of nine.
That recent surge has shifted the narrative. A couple of weeks ago, there was serious talk about the Leafs potentially becoming sellers at the deadline.
Now? There’s hope.
And if Matthews can find his rhythm in the Olympics, he might just bring that fire back with him to Scotiabank Arena.
Toronto sits just six points out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, where the standings are tight and the margin for error is razor-thin. The Rangers are the only team that’s truly out of it; for everyone else, it’s game on.
The Leafs have three massive games to close out the month - all against division rivals: Tampa Bay, Florida, and Ottawa. They’re tied with the Senators and just two points ahead of the Panthers, so these matchups are more than just important - they’re must-win.
Matthews has made the playoffs every year of his NHL career. Missing out in a season where he’s wearing the “C” for both club and country?
That’s not something he’s willing to let happen. The pressure’s real, but so is the opportunity.
If he can elevate his game in the red, white, and blue, there’s every reason to believe he can carry that momentum back to Toronto - and maybe, just maybe, help turn the Leafs’ season around.
Final Word
The 2026 Olympics are more than just another tournament for Auston Matthews. They’re a proving ground, a redemption arc, and a potential launching pad - all rolled into one. Whether it's reclaiming his spot among the game's elite, leading Team USA to long-awaited Olympic glory, or sparking a playoff push in Toronto, Matthews has a lot riding on the next few weeks.
And if history has taught us anything, it’s that players like Matthews don’t shy away from the spotlight - they shine in it.