The Toronto Maple Leafs have hit their stride without Auston Matthews in the lineup, climbing to first place in the Atlantic Division by embracing a more straightforward, disciplined style of play.

Matthews will miss his ninth straight game with a mysterious injury, but Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said "he's feeling good."

It wasn’t the fun trip to Florida that three former Panthers on the Maple Leafs had envisioned, nor for the rest of the Toronto bench. In the most goals the Leafs have given up in their past 10 starts,

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been winning without Auston Matthews in the lineup. He is now returning. What does the team do?

While the Toronto Maple Leafs superstar indicated Wednesday’s showdown against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers as his possible return date, Matthews will miss a ninth consecutive game due to his undisclosed upper-body injury.