Leafs captain Auston Matthews admits feeling 'bit disconnected' after shutout loss to Vancouver Canucks

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews admitted feeling "a bit disconnected" after the team's 3-0 shutout loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

The Leafs have lost two straight games and were shut out for the third time this season.

"I thought we had chances, just couldn't capitalize and I thought we couldn't really get momentum on our side," Matthews said to reporters. "A lot of one-and-done. It just felt like a little bit disconnected through the most part of the game, I would say."

During three power-play chances against Vancouver, Toronto managed only two shots on goal.

“I mean just simplifying it, we just gotta get more pucks to the net, and, you know, there’s a lot of movement, kind of a lot of nothing going on, I think we can do a better job of simplifying it and getting shots, more shots to the net and then letting things open up from there,” Matthews said.

Matthews emphasized the importance of getting pucks through to players in position. He noted that it wasn’t just about 5-on-5 play, but explained that the team needs to be more connected across the rink.

Toronto has a 27-15-2 record this season. They will face the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at home.

Auston Matthews praises Canucks' captain Quinn Hughes

Vancouver Canucks' captain Quinn Hughes had a standout game, scoring a goal and contributing an assist. He scored the deflected shot off Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit in the second period to give the Canucks a 2-0 lead.

Auston Matthews acknowledged Hughes' strong performance, calling him a "special player."

"He's a special player," Matthews said. "Obviously, he's very dynamic, he kind of drives the bus for that team on both ends of the ice.

"He's very gifted offensively. He's very shifty, dynamic. Breaks pucks out really clean. He's a special player. So obviously he had a good night tonight."

Matthews pointed out that they could have done a better job containing Hughes and several other players.

Brock Boeser and Kiefer Sherwood also added goals for the Canucks. Kevin Lankinen stopped all 20 shots, while Dennis Hildeby made 15 saves in the loss.