The Maple Leafs captain has been back for two games due to an upper-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup and required a trip to Europe to see a certain doctor.

Monday night provided a glimpse of the player Toronto will have once Matthews gets back up to speed.

The 27-year-old sharpshooter scored his sixth goal of the season and first since his return as he used his deft touch in the Leafs’ 4-1 win over the lowly Chicago Blackhawks.

Matthews had three shots and added a trio of goals in 19 minutes, 43 seconds after picking up two assists on Saturday.

“Just try to get better and feel better every game,” he said. “Just keep getting my legs and lungs back and just getting back in shape.”

Matthews led the NHL with a staggering 69 goals last season – the most by a single player in more than 30 years – but didn’t look good from the start of the 2024-2025 season.

He has been listed as day-to-day since his last outing on November 3rd. General manager Brad Treliving announced on November 19 that his best player was in Germany to deal with something that had caused him problems during a short portion of his schedule.

“He’s going to be an absolute top player – one of the best in the world,” said Leafs center John Tavares, who also scored a goal on Monday. “What a special talent. Great hands on goal. A great success that takes us forward. He’s only going to get better.”

Toronto head coach Craig Berube, whose team has four games this week, said it was clear Matthews wasn’t back up to speed yet.

“It’s going to take a while,” Berube said. “Training time…which will be difficult with the schedule, but he’s working on it. He will do it. I’m not worried.”

Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz said Matthews is eye-catching wherever he is on the ice – even if he is currently below his own high standard.

“He’s so smart, he’s so strong with the stick,” the goalkeeper said. “You can always count on him to get into the right position in the defensive zone, and he’s always a threat in the offensive zone.”

Toronto center Fraser Minten, who returned from a serious sprain in September before being recalled from the youth team because the club had a slew of injured forwards, said Matthews’ path to success was clear.

“He is incredibly talented, but this is the result of consistent work,” said the rookie. “He’s a great guy to look up to, a great guy to lead this team.”

“His success speaks for itself.”

Minten has two goals and two assists in five games for the Leafs. The 20-year-old played four competitions for the club last season before returning to the youth ranks.

“Such an intellectual player,” Matthews said. “Maybe not the fastest, not the biggest and strongest, but I think the way he can adapt his game to the situation is really outstanding.”

Stolarz made 27 saves and improved to 8-4-2 this season with a .924 save percentage and 2.23 goals-against average. Goalie partner Joseph Woll, meanwhile, is 6-2-0 with a save percentage of .923 and a GAA of 2.13.

“They have a great relationship,” Berube said. “They’re really close-knit, and that really benefits everyone in the room. That camaraderie is important.”

The Leafs wanted Minten at center alongside Steven Lorentz and Nick Robertson for the opening faceoff, but Matthews was announced in the building.

Fearing a violation for icing an incorrect starting lineup — the Nashville Predators were assessed a two-minute penalty last month for a similar mixup — Berube, confused, discussed with one of the referees, who instructed him to send Matthews over the boards.

“These computers are screwing everything up,” Berube said to reporters’ laughter. “I used to write (the lineup) on paper. I would rather do that.”