Craig Berube makes honest admission on Leafs’ captain Auston Matthews’ game since comeback

Auston Matthews is gradually returning to form after missing nearly a month due to an upper-body injury. He scored his first goal in his second game back, helping the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Monday.

After the game, Leafs coach Craig Berube talked about Matthews’ performance and he believes Matthews will return to peak form soon, despite needing more practice time.

“He is not up to speed yet, for sure, and we all know that, but it was a big goal for him,” Berube said, via Leafslatest. "It is going to take time — practice time, which is going to be difficult with the schedule — but he is working at it. He will get there. I have no worries about it. He will get there."

Matthews is taking his time to return to form and admitted that he's still regaining his rhythm.

“I’m just trying to feel better each game,” Matthews said during a postgame interview, via colitco.com. “Getting my legs back, my lungs back, and getting back into game shape.”

He also discussed the Blackhawks game.

“Maybe not the cleanest game, definitely some things we can take away, but two points are two points," Matthews said, via NHL.com. "Just try to clean it up and just try to be better here in the next game.”

Matthews, who missed nine games, had two assists in his return on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning before scoring a goal against the Blackhawks. The busy schedule might make it hard, but Berube is confident Matthews will continue to improve.

Auston Matthews received encouraging words from Maple Leafs teammates

Despite not being fully fit, Auston Matthews still means a lot to the Leafs lineup. His teammates know that they can rely on their captain who is an offensive powerhouse. Last season, he scored 69 goals and Toronto needs him to score similarly this year for a better playoff result.

“He’s so smart, he’s so strong on his stick and you can always rely on him to be in the right position in the defensive zone, and he’s always a threat in the offensive zone," Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz said, via NHL.com. "Look at that goal tonight, he gets a nice pass and he just makes our team a lot better.”

John Tavares also praised Matthews' elite skills and leadership.

“He’s an elite player, one of the best in the world,” Tavares said, via colitco.com. “That goal was a great example of his hands, and he’ll only continue to improve.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a 15-7-2 record, including 11-3-0 at home. They will host the Nashville Predators on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. EST.