Auston Matthews is wasting no time putting up monster numbers under Jim Hiller.
In just six games with Hiller behind the bench, Matthews has already delivered two four-point outings. That’s a stark contrast to what happened over two seasons under Craig Berube, when he had only one four-point game. It’s the kind of stat that immediately raises the question of whether Hiller’s style is unlocking a little more of Matthews’ offensive game.
The two standout performances came against Nashville and Colorado, which makes the comparison a little harder to brush off. One opponent was middle-of-the-road, the other elite. So this isn’t just a case of Matthews lighting up a couple soft matchups and padding the numbers.
What stands out is the possibility that the coaches are asking different things of him. Hiller appears comfortable leaning into skill and giving players like Matthews more freedom to read the ice, find open space and create. For a scorer with Matthews’ instincts, even a small shift in how often he gets those chances can show up fast on the scoreboard.
Berube’s approach, by contrast, is built around structure, direct communication, accountability and a north-south game. It’s about moving the puck forward, pressuring opponents and making the team harder to play against.
That can absolutely matter over the long haul, but it can also change the way a top-line center is deployed. If the system requires more board work, more defensive responsibility or more pucks sent deep, Matthews’ scoring looks can change even if the team as a whole benefits.
There’s a real case to be made on both sides. Hiller may be giving Matthews more room to create.
Berube may have prioritized a harder, more collective style over maximizing one player’s point totals. But the numbers alone can’t settle it.
Six games is a tiny sample, and two huge nights can distort the picture. Ice time, linemates, power-play opportunity, injuries and game flow all matter too.
So this isn’t proof that Hiller is the answer or that Berube was holding Matthews back. It’s more a reminder that coaching style can shape how a star produces from one setting to the next. The Nashville and Colorado games make the early Hiller run feel meaningful, but the sample is still too small to make any grand declarations.
The real test is still ahead: how Matthews’ usage, role and chances evolve as the season goes on. For now, though, the early returns are hard to miss.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs Suddenly Face A Blue Line Problem Without Chris Tanev
The Maple Leafs have had to reshuffle their blue line after veteran defenseman T.J. Tanev left Saturday nights win over the Avalanche in the first period with an upper-body injury. Toronto has since placed him on injured reserve, a development that forces the team to lean on its depth a little earlier than planned and puts added pressure on a defense group that has already been working through adjustments under coach Jim Hiller.
Marshall Rifai was recalled from the Marlies to give the Maple Leafs another option on the back end, while Nick Blankenburg has been asked to take on a bigger role in Tanevs absence. For a team that values stability on defense, the mix-and-match look is not ideal, and it leaves Toronto waiting to see how quickly it can settle its pairings once Tanev is available again. [Read more 🡒]
William Nylander Is Driving Why The Maple Leafs Look Dangerous Again
William Nylander keeps giving the Maple Leafs the kind of offensive push that changes the feel of a game before it even settles in. In Torontos 6-3 win over Colorado, he was central to everything, helping fuel a stretch that has the Leafs looking far more dangerous early in the season and making life easier for teammates who have been able to build off that momentum.
The scoring burst also fit neatly into the bigger arc of Nylanders career in Toronto, where his production has become the kind of steady force this team can lean on. With the way he is driving play right now, the Leafs are getting both immediate results and a reminder that their top-end skill can tilt a night quickly when he is rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Blue Line Suddenly Has A Concern Fans Know Too Well
Oliver Ekman-Larsson did not take part in Mondays practice for the Maple Leafs, a note that carries extra weight because of how often his availability has become a topic of conversation lately. The team labeled it a maintenance day, which suggests he is managing an injury and the club is trying to keep him out of trouble rather than push him into extra work too soon.
The timing matters because Torontos blue line has already been forced to absorb some recent shuffling, with Chris Tanev on injured reserve and Marshall Rifai brought in as added depth. For a team that has spent enough time dealing with defensive absences, even a routine day off for Ekman-Larsson can feel like the start of something bigger, and the Leafs will be watching closely to make sure it stays small. [Read more 🡒]