Auston Matthews Criticizes Maple Leafs’ ‘Attitude and Commitment’ After Inconsistent Start…
Toronto — October 24, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews didn’t hold back on Thursday night after another uneven performance from his team, calling out the group’s “attitude and commitment” following a 5–2 home loss to the New Jersey Devils.
Despite another strong individual showing, the reigning Hart Trophy winner made it clear that Toronto’s early-season inconsistency isn’t about talent it’s about focus and accountability.
“It’s a Roller-Coaster of Inconsistency”
“It’s a little bit of the same over the last couple of games,” Matthews said. “We’re playing in spurts. At times, it looks really good, and at other times, it’s sloppy and inconsistent. For us, it’s about attitude and commitment taking care of the puck and executing for a full 60 minutes.”
The Maple Leafs have opened the season at 3-3-1, struggling to maintain momentum across full games. Toronto led briefly in the first period Thursday before surrendering three unanswered goals to the Devils in the second a frame that has repeatedly troubled the team this month.
Turnovers and Execution a Growing Concern
Matthews, who has scored in five of Toronto’s first seven games, said the breakdowns are often self-inflicted.
“It’s just taking care of the puck,” he explained. “Sometimes we try to over-extend plays or force something that’s not there. The simple options are available, and when we don’t use them, it turns into mistakes that cost us momentum.”
The Leafs have now allowed 12 goals in their last three games, with defensive coverage and puck management emerging as major talking points. Matthews said those problems stem less from structure and more from mindset.
“It’s about being mentally sharp,” he said. “We’ve shown we can play the right way. The challenge is sustaining that for an entire game.”
Berube Demands Accountability
First-year head coach Craig Berube echoed his captain’s frustration earlier this week, emphasizing the need for consistent effort and defensive discipline.
“We’ve got to compete harder and be more connected defensively,” Berube said. “We can’t rely on talent alone. It’s about habits doing the right things over and over again.”
Berube’s system is built on structure and intensity, principles that the Leafs have struggled to apply over extended stretches. Matthews agreed that accountability must come from within the locker room.
“Every player has to buy in if we want to get where we expect to be,” he said. “It’s about effort and commitment every night. That’s what separates good teams from great ones.”
Turning Talk Into Action
Toronto will have a quick chance to respond as it hosts the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, the first half of a back-to-back series. For Matthews, that game represents more than a chance to climb in the standings it’s an opportunity to prove that the message has been received.
“We’ve had good stretches, but it’s about making that the standard,” Matthews said. “The effort has to be there every shift, every night.”
For a team loaded with offensive talent and championship expectations, the message from its leader was unmistakable:
The Maple Leafs’ success this season will depend less on skill and more on attitude and commitment.
